Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the two nations' "defence ties have never been stronger" as he announced the signing of a 10-year Defence Framework between the United States and India on Friday, marking a significant step to strengthen their partnership.
Hegseth said on X that he signed the framework after meeting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal, according to the secretary of the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defence), strengthens the defence collaboration between the United States and India, which he described as a "cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence."
"We're improving our tech cooperation, information sharing, and coordination," he continued. We have never had closer defence relations.

Hegseth thanked Singh for the collaboration between Washington and New Delhi after signing the agreement. "It's one of those important US-Indian relationships in the world," he remarked. Our common interests, mutual trust, and dedication to a safe and thriving Indo-Pacific region serve as the foundation for our strategic alignment.
Hegseth called the 10-year defence framework "ambitious" and stated that it establishes a "roadmap for deeper and even more meaningful collaboration ahead" and is a crucial step for both nations' forces.
Adding, "It underscores America's long-term commitment for our shared security and our strong partnership," the Secretary of War said.

The meeting was held on Friday during the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting. The unofficial gathering took place in conjunction with the November 1 ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The defence ministers' informal meeting "aims to further strengthen defence and security cooperation among ASEAN member states & India and advance the 'Act East Policy,'" according to Rajnath Singh, who had already confirmed his attendance at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Hegseth and Rajnath Singh met a few days after S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, met US Secretary of State Marcon Rubio in Kuala Lumpur during the ASEAN East Asia Summit.

According to Jaishankar, he and Rubio talked about regional and international challenges in addition to the bilateral ties between the US and India.
These high-level discussions between US and Indian officials coincide with ongoing trade pact negotiations, which have been tense since President Donald Trump double-taxed New Delhi for its imports of Russian oil.
Jaishankar emphasised India's rising worries on the restrictions on energy trade, market access, and supply chain during Monday's East Asia Summit.
In addition to stepping up efforts to resolve conflicts like those in Gaza and Ukraine, which have interrupted food security and imperilled energy flows, he said the international community must adhere to the zero tolerance policy for terrorists.

Market distortions emerge from the growing restrictions on energy trade. In apparent allusion to the 25% additional tariff that Trump placed on Indian goods due to its oil purchases from Russia, Jaishankar stated, "Principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practiced."