India and the United States have solidified their strategic partnership with the signing of a 10-year “Framework for the India-U.S. Major Defence Partnership,” formalised on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur. This agreement marks a pivotal moment in bilateral defence cooperation, deepening collaboration amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade disputes.
The framework builds on two decades of evolving defence ties, which began with the 2005 Defence Framework Agreement and were reinforced in 2015. Since then, both nations have established key foundational agreements to enhance interoperability and intelligence sharing, including LEMOA (2016), COMCASA (2018), BECA (2020), and SOSA (2024). These agreements have laid the groundwork for the latest 10-year roadmap, which extends cooperation into defence manufacturing, joint technology development, and strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
The new framework outlines an ambitious agenda, including unified policy direction, expanded technology and industrial cooperation, strengthened information and intelligence sharing, and enhanced joint military exercises. A key focus is co-production and co-development of advanced defence systems, aligning with India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative. This move is expected to boost U.S. investment in India’s defence production ecosystem, particularly under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
The agreement also reinforces a shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, countering coercive activities in the region. Despite recent trade tensions, including Washington’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, both nations have demonstrated that defence cooperation remains resilient and insulated from economic friction.
The framework’s significance extends beyond bilateral relations. It enhances regional stability by positioning India as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific, while also mitigating supply chain risks by diversifying technology and production partnerships. By integrating India more deeply into global defence supply chains and security dialogues, the agreement strengthens New Delhi’s strategic leverage and contributes to the U.S. vision of integrated deterrence in Asia.
As the Indo-Pacific becomes the epicentre of strategic competition, this framework underscores the importance of like-minded nations working together to maintain peace, freedom of navigation, and sovereignty. The partnership between India and the U.S. is not just about defence—it’s about shaping the future of regional security and global stability.