India and the United States have renewed a 10-year defence framework, reaffirming their strategic partnership despite simmering tensions over trade and Delhi’s deepening defence ties with Russia.
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The timing of the signing has put a spotlight on the balancing act required to maintain India–US defence ties, in which Delhi’s pursuit of American weapon systems is complicated by its deepening military dependence on Moscow, according to analysts.
The agreement was signed on Friday in Kuala Lumpur by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who hailed it as a milestone for bilateral military cooperation. They were holding talks on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in the Malaysian capital.
“This advances our defence partnership, a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence. We’re enhancing our coordination, info sharing, and tech cooperation. Our defence ties have never been stronger,” Hegseth posted on social media.
Relations between New Delhi and Washington have deteriorated over the past few months, after the US imposed a 50 per cent import tariff on Indian exports, partly as penalties for India’s purchases of Russian oil.
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Despite the tensions, the two sides have maintained their defence ties and continued to hold joint military exercises. They have also been trying to finalise a trade agreement.