Tariff Turmoil Continues, But Eye On China, US-India Sign 10 Year Defense Pact

KUALA LUMPUR -Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on October 31 met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur, where the two leaders signed a 10-year ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership.’

The bilateral engagement was held on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.

Under the Joe Biden administration, Washington fostered a deeper partnership with India as a bulwark against China, and it became a major defense partner, embedding advanced American jets, helicopters, missiles,and military gear into its armed forces. The Trump administration’s tariff war and immigration attacks have recently strained relations, but in a sign that both countries are wary of power plays in the  region, realpolitik seems to have come into play.

“This Defense Framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US Defense Relationship. It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership,” Singh added.

He emphasized that defense would continue to serve as a major pillar of India-US bilateral relations, noting that the partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth posted on X, “This advances our defense partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence. We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defense ties have never been stronger.” (IANS)