KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31: India and the US on Friday signed a 10-year defence framework pact that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described as a “signal”of growing bilateral strategic ties even as Washington vowed to work closely with New Delhi to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed the framework agreement for the ‘US-India major defence partnership’ pact following their wide-range talks in Kuala Lumpur that focused on boosting strategic ties across all its pillars.
The signing of the agreement came amid efforts by the two sides to repair ties that have hit their lowest point in nearly two decades over Washington’s slapping of 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.The framework pact is intended to provide a broader vision and policy direction to deepen bilateral defence cooperation. It was firmed up as the validity of a similar pact signed in 2015 is coming to an end.It was the first meeting between Singh and Hegseth that took place days after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his American counterpart Marco Rubio.
Describing his talks with Hegseth as “fruitful”, Singh said the framework agreement will usher in a “new era in our already strong defence partnership”.
“This defence framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US defence relationship. It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership,” Singh said on social media.
“Defence will remain as the major pillar of our bilateral relations. Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
On his part, Hegseth said the agreement “advances our defence 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,” he said.
Hegseth and Singh are in Kuala Lumpur to attend a meeting of a grouping of nations comprising ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states and some of its dialogue partners.The meeting was constructive and the delegation-level talks were followed by a one-to-one meeting, an Indian readout said.It said Singh and Hegseth appreciated the continuing momentum in the bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further build upon the mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars.
It is learnt that the proposed deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and US defence major GE Aerospace for joint production of F414 jet engines in India also figured in the talks.The India-US defence cooperation has been on an upswing in the last few years.
Singh also held separate bilateral talks with Malaysia Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin. (PTI)
