Overview
- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed the Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership on the sidelines of ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur.
- Both governments said the agreement will deepen coordination, information sharing and technology cooperation to support a free, open Indo-Pacific.
- The signing follows a downturn after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil purchases, even as military engagement largely continued.
- Indian officials said the talks would review planned procurements such as Boeing P-8I aircraft and discuss defence industry and technology collaboration.
- The 2025 framework continues decade-long accords from 2005 and 2015, and unresolved trade disputes could influence how defence projects and timelines advance.