India and US Review Defence Partnership in Rajnath Singh Talks

India and the US review their 10-year defence framework, focusing on military technology, information sharing, defence equipment co-production and Indo-Pacific security during talks between Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth in the Philippines.

India and the United States have reviewed progress under their 10-year defence partnership framework, focusing on military technology, information sharing, defence equipment co-production and regional security. The discussions aim to strengthen strategic cooperation and support a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to assess ongoing defence initiatives and discuss ways to expand bilateral military cooperation.

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Singh said the two sides reviewed the progress of the 10-year India-US Defence Framework, which was signed in October 2025 to provide policy direction for their defence relationship over the following decade. The framework seeks to deepen collaboration across military capabilities, defence technology, information exchange and industrial partnerships.

Both leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in advanced military technologies, improve information-sharing mechanisms and expand the co-production of defence equipment. These areas form part of the broader effort to develop closer defence industrial links and enhance operational coordination between the two countries.

The discussions also covered the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific. Both countries emphasised the importance of maintaining regional stability and strengthening cooperation to address emerging security challenges. Singh described the bilateral partnership as an important pillar in efforts to promote a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.

Hegseth said the meeting marked the first anniversary of the framework for the countries’ Major Defence Partnership. He also highlighted their shared interest in exploring additional opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

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India and the United States have expanded their defence relationship through several foundational agreements. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, signed in 2016, facilitates reciprocal access to military logistics support. The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, signed in 2018, enables secure communications and supports access to advanced defence technologies. The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement, concluded in 2020, provides for the exchange of geospatial information.

These agreements have helped establish mechanisms for closer military coordination, logistics support and information exchange. The 10-year framework builds on this foundation by providing a broader roadmap for cooperation in defence technology, industrial collaboration and strategic planning.

The meeting took place as defence ministers and representatives gathered in Cebu for ADMM-Plus, a forum that brings together ASEAN members and their dialogue partners to discuss regional defence and security issues.