The US has reaffirmed India as its key defence partner in South Asia, with plans for a new 10-year defence framework, major arms deals, and expanded industrial cooperation. Leaders from both nations discussed deepening ties and countering regional threats through joint innovation and military collaboration.
The United States has underscored India’s position as its “key defence partner in South Asia.” This was conveyed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth during a conversation with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to Pentagon spokesperson Colonel Chris Devine.
“When he spoke to Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, Hegseth emphasised the priority the US places on India as its key defence partner in South Asia,” Devine said. The conversation was part of an ongoing dialogue between the two nations, aiming to deepen their military and strategic partnership.
During the call, both leaders reviewed the notable progress made in advancing the defence goals outlined in the joint statement issued by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2025. They agreed to sign the next 10-year US-India Defence Framework later this year, setting the stage for a new era of bilateral defence cooperation.
“The leaders discussed pending major US defence sales to India and emphasised the importance of close industrial collaboration in the defence sector,” Devine added. This development signifies a growing alignment in security interests and military-industrial cooperation between the two democracies.
Following the discussion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to describe the call as an “excellent discussion.” He noted that the exchange helped review ongoing initiatives and launch new efforts to further deepen the India-US defence partnership. Singh also expressed appreciation for America’s consistent support to India in its fight against terrorism and said he looked forward to an in-person meeting with Hegseth soon.
The high-level interaction came ahead of Hegseth’s meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at the Pentagon. Their discussion reinforced the momentum in the India-US defence partnership. A Pentagon statement noted that both leaders talked about India’s participation in the next INDUS-X Summit, an upcoming platform focused on strengthening defence innovation, technology sharing, and joint manufacturing efforts.
The US-India defence framework was again central to the conversation between Hegseth and Jaishankar. Hegseth reassured Jaishankar of Washington’s commitment to countering regional security threats alongside New Delhi. “Both nations are fully aware of the shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and have the capability to confront them together,” he said.
EAM Jaishankar echoed this sentiment, calling the defence collaboration between the two countries “one of the most consequential pillars” of their relationship. He highlighted the value of sustained cooperation under the broader US-India COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century. This comprehensive agreement, announced by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi earlier this year, spans a wide range of strategic domains—from defence and security to trade and space exploration.
As part of this expanding partnership, both sides announced several new military procurement and coproduction initiatives. These include collaborative efforts to produce Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker armoured vehicles. India also plans to acquire six more P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, enhancing its naval surveillance capabilities.
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Over the years, India has already integrated several advanced US-origin weapons systems into its military. These include the C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, and P-8I Poseidon aircraft. Rotary-wing additions include the CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, MH-60R Sea Hawk multi-role helicopters, and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. India also employs Harpoon anti-ship missiles, M777 ultra-light howitzers, and MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones.
With these advancements and a shared commitment to regional security, the India-US defence relationship has evolved into a cornerstone of stability in the Indo-Pacific. As both countries gear up to renew their defence framework, the trajectory of this strategic partnership appears stronger than ever.
