WEB DESK: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the unprecedented strength of military ties between India and the United States after meeting with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh. Despite ongoing trade tensions, strategic cooperation between the two nations remains intact, underscoring the significance of their partnership.
During their Friday discussions, Hegseth and Singh signed a renewed 10-year defense framework, with the Pentagon chief describing the India-US collaboration as one of the most impactful globally. This marked their first face-to-face meeting, held alongside a gathering of ASEAN defense chiefs in Kuala Lumpur.
Hegseth hailed the defense framework as ambitious and transformative, presenting it as a road map for deeper military cooperation between the two nations. Singh echoed this optimism, stating that the agreement would pave the way for expanded bilateral relations.
Trade disputes have complicated relations between New Delhi and Washington, notably with the imposition of a 50 percent tariff on Indian exports by the Trump administration, partly in response to India’s procurement of Russian oil. Yet, despite these challenges, both countries have maintained robust defense partnerships and joint military initiatives.
Strategically, Washington continues to view India as a critical counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Even amidst trade disagreements, this role is unlikely to diminish.
In separate talks earlier the same day, Hegseth discussed concerns with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun regarding China’s naval activities near Taiwan and the South China Sea, highlighting their potential impact on regional security and US allies.
While diplomatic progress in US-India trade relations shows some promise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted not to attend the ASEAN summit, avoiding a direct encounter with President Donald Trump.
