India-US Sign 10-Year Defence Framework in Kuala Lumpur
Why in the news
On 31 October 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a 10-year framework for the India-US Major Defence Partnership in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Key facts
- Signatories: Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth.
- Venue: Kuala Lumpur, during the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting.
- Duration: 10 years.
- Scope: joint exercises, defence innovation, industrial collaboration and maritime security.
- Both sides stressed a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Snapshot
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | 31 October 2025 |
| Place | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Term | 10 years |
| Partnership | Major Defence Partnership |
Context
The framework gives long-term policy direction to the bilateral defence partnership and fits India’s Act East Policy. At the same meeting, Singh proposed a forum linking India and ASEAN defence think tanks and announced a second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.
Exam angle
- Remember the pair: Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth, titled US Secretary of War.
- Venue and duration (Kuala Lumpur, 10 years) are typical question points.
- Link it to the Indo-Pacific and Act East Policy.