India-US Defence Partnership Framework Agreement

India and the United States have formalized a framework agreement that outlines a major defence partnership for the next decade. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in various domains, including capacity building for partners in Asia, Africa, and the Indian Ocean Region.

Key Components of the Agreement

• Global Challenges and Collaborations:
  • Joint efforts in space and missile defence.
  • Prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
  • Prioritization of export licence approvals for weapons.
• Development Initiatives:
  • Support for India as a hub for logistics, maintenance, repair, and overhaul.

Statements from Key Leaders

• Rajnath Singh: Emphasized the partnership as a major pillar of India-US bilateral relations, focusing on strategic convergence and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Pete Hegseth: Described India as a priority country for US defence cooperation and expressed commitment to enhancing coordination, information sharing, and technological cooperation.

Framework's Vision and Goals

• Strategic Convergence: The framework provides a unified vision for the next decade, building on the previous agreement signed in June 2015.
• Defence Partnership Growth: Accelerates the partnership across information sharing and industrial collaboration, focusing on: 
  • Safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
  • Strengthening interoperability across domains.
  • Expanding collaboration through forums like the Quad.
  • Defeating terrorism in all forms.

Military Coordination and Response

• Enhancing the capability of the militaries of both nations to respond to regional threats and disasters swiftly.