KUALA LUMPUR: In a major move to strengthen strategic partnerships in Asia, the United States has signed a 10 year defence framework agreement with India, the Pentagon announced Friday. The deal was revealed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on his official X account, marking a new chapter in Washington’s efforts to deepen regional security cooperation.
Hegseth met with his Chinese and Indian counterparts on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Summit in Malaysia, beginning a series of high-level talks aimed at balancing power in the Indo-Pacific.
Following his meeting with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Hegseth hailed the new pact as “a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence.” The two sides also discussed India’s planned purchases of US military hardware, underscoring the growing defence collaboration between both nations.
In a separate meeting with China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun, Hegseth reaffirmed that the United States would firmly defend its interests in the Indo-Pacific region. He voiced concern over China’s actions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, stressing the need to maintain open and stable waters.
The Pentagon chief’s agenda also includes meetings with the defence ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, as Washington seeks to counter Beijing’s expanding influence across Southeast Asia. Delegations from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Russia are also attending the summit.
Tensions over the South China Sea dominated the discussions, as Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin condemned China’s “grey-zone tactics,” including hydrographic research activities carried out under coastguard protection, calling them a “clear provocation and threat to sovereignty.”
Beijing, however, insists its coastguard operates professionally and within its claimed territory, which overlaps with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, addressing ASEAN leaders, reaffirmed US commitment to the region, saying Washington would remain a “strong partner for many generations.” The US already maintains defence pacts and joint exercises with several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.
The renewed US-India defence partnership and the broader security push come amid rising concerns over China’s rapid military buildup. Shortly before meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump announced plans to resume nuclear weapons testing, citing the need to match Beijing’s growing arsenal.
