Firewalling Strategy: India and US Ink 10-Year Defence Pact Amid Trade and Tariff Turmoil
KUALA LUMPUR — India and the United States on Friday formally sealed a ten-year Defence Framework Agreement, a landmark deal that signals a firm commitment to long-term strategic cooperation despite the ongoing friction over trade tariffs.
The agreement, titled the 'Framework for the US–India Major Defence Partnership,' was signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Strategic Shield Against Trade Winds
The signing marks a crucial diplomatic moment, demonstrating that both New Delhi and Washington are keen to firewall their core security interests from escalating economic disputes, including a recent US imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods.
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A "New Chapter": Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the pact as the beginning of a "new chapter" in bilateral ties. He stated that the framework would provide a "policy direction to the entire spectrum" of the India-US defence relationship and "herald a new decade of partnership."
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"Never Been Stronger": US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed the sentiment, asserting that military ties between the two nations have "never been stronger." He described the 10-year framework as "ambitious" and a "cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence."
💬 Rajnath Singh on X (formerly Twitter):
"It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership. Defence will remain a major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-based In1do-Pacific region."
Key Pillars of the 10-Year Framework
The renewed pact is designed to deepen military coordination and technology sharing, with a clear focus on the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly a rising China.
| Pillar | Focus Area | Impact |
| Strategic Cooperation | Regional stability, deterrence, and a free, open Indo-Pacific. | A shared approach to counter China's assertiveness. |
| Technology & Industry | Enhanced co-development and co-production of advanced military technologies (e.g., GE F-414 jet engines). | Boosts India's 'Make in India' defence push and integration of supply chains. |
| Interoperability | Deeper coordination, information sharing, and joint military exercises. | Streamlines defence procurement and enhances operational readiness between the two militaries. |
The Tariff Backdrop: Economy vs. Strategy
The signing occurs amidst an environment of palpable trade strain. The US has recently hit Indian goods with tariffs, which some reports link to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil and defence equipment.
However, the rapid progress on the defence front underscores a strategic consensus: the security partnership is too vital for both nations to allow economic disputes to derail it. The US views India as a critical counterweight in the Indo-Pacific, while India sees the US as an essential source for high-end technology and military modernization.
This 10-year commitment signals that despite the rough waters in trade negotiations, the strategic course for the world's two largest democracies remains fixed on deepening their security alliance.
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