India-US Teken Defense Framework For 10 Years

US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia/PHOTO via X @PeteHegseth

JAKARTA - The United States and India on Friday signed a ten-year defense framework, according to high defense officials of the two countries.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he had signed the pact when he met Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"I just met with @rajnathsingh to sign the US-India Defense Framework for ten years. This advances our defense partnership", a basis for regional stability and prevention, wrote Hegseth on the X account after the meeting was reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, October 31.

"We are improving coordination, sharing information, and expanding technology cooperation. Our defense relationship has never been as strong as this," he added.

Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh called his meeting with Hegseth "benefitful" and said they had signed a Framework for the US-India Main Defense Partnership which also lasted for ten years.

This will mark a new era in our strong defense partnership. This framework will provide policy direction for the entire spectrum of Indian-US defense relations," he said in a separate statement on the X account.

Singh added that the pact is also a signal of increasing strategic convergence between the two countries and will open a new decade of bilateral partnerships.

The defense will remain the main pillar of our bilateral relationship. This partnership is very important to ensure a free, open, and rule-based Indo-Pacific region," he said.

Both Hegseth and Singh are in Malaysia to attend the ASEAN defense minister's two-day meeting.

South China Sea

Separately, the Pentagon Chief also met with Philippine National Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro in Kuala Lumpur.

"The meeting is the fourth time this year to advance our strong defense partnership," said Hegseth.

"We will work relentlessly to rebuild deterrence in the South China Sea and strengthen our alliance," he added.

The Philippines is one of the oldest US military allies in the Asia-Pacific region, which hosts the US-owned Typhon missile system. The American army also has access to a number of military bases in the Philippines.

The disputed South China Sea continues to be a hot spot between the Philippines and China, which claims most of the resource-rich waters.

Hegseth's first visit to Asia in March also included a visit to the Philippines.

In addition, Hegseth met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, where the two parties discussed efforts to deepen defense relations.

"Indonesia is a valuable partner and anchors regional stability," wrote Hegseth on X.

Agreement With Malaysia

Hegseth also met with Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin on Thursday (30/10), when the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation.

The MoU strengthens more than 40 years of bilateral defense relations and a shared commitment to peace, security and well-being, according to an official statement regarding the pact.

Hegseth and Mohamed also announced an update of the Acquisition and Cross Services Agreement between the two countries.

Mohamed is a leader with a clear view and is willing to work with us to achieve peace through power, as well as understand the challenges we face in the South China Sea, Hegseth wrote on X.