India-US sign 10-year defence pact amid tariff turmoil

October 31, 2025

India and the United States have finalized a ten-year framework agreement aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations. The pact, announced following discussions between defense leaders Pete Hegseth and Rajnath Singh in Malaysia, focuses on improving coordination, intelligence sharing, and technology collaboration to bolster Indo-Pacific regional security. This agreement arrives amid strained relations caused by President Trump's imposition of substantial tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties related to India's purchases of Russian oil and military equipment.

Who is affected

India and the United States (their defense sectors and militaries)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
US President Donald Trump
Russia (as India's current arms supplier)
The Indo-Pacific region

What action is being taken

India and the US are signing and implementing a 10-year defense cooperation framework agreement
The two countries are engaged in high-stakes trade negotiations
India and the US are ramping up their defense ties
India is seeking to diversify its defense portfolio and boost domestic capacity
India is hinting at increasing energy and defense purchases from the US

Why it matters

This agreement is significant because it strengthens the strategic partnership between two major democracies in countering potential security threats in the Indo-Pacific region. It represents a critical pillar of bilateral relations that ensures a free, open, and rules-based regional order. The pact also provides policy direction for the entire spectrum of India-US defense relations, facilitating greater military interoperability, technology access, and defense sector collaboration. Additionally, it signals India's gradual shift away from dependence on Russian military equipment toward more diversified defense partnerships, which has major geopolitical implications.

What's next

The two countries are working toward reaching a trade deal by November
The US is expected to increase military equipment sales to India by many billions of dollars
The US will ultimately provide India with F-35 stealth warplanes

Read full article from source: BBC