India–U.S. 10-Year Defence Framework
Context:
Signed in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).
Signatories:
Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister of India)
Pete Hegseth (U.S. Secretary of War)
About the Framework
Title: Framework for the U.S.–India Major Defence Partnership
Tenure: 10 years
Purpose:
Strengthen strategic cooperation for peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Build upon:
2013 Joint Principles for Defence Cooperation
2016 recognition of India as Major Defence Partner (MDP)
Key Focus Areas
Five Defence Domains:
Land
Sea (Maritime)
Air
Space
Cyberspace
Objectives:
Maintain Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
Improve interoperability between forces.
Strengthen maritime security and freedom of navigation.
Counter weapons proliferation and enhance defence tech innovation.
Support regional sovereignty and collective deterrence.
Technology & Industry Cooperation:
Under the COMPACT initiative (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology).
Aims to promote industrial innovation, joint R&D, and supply-chain resilience.
Strategic Implications
Reinforces India’s role as a “priority partner” for the U.S. in defence.
Complements cooperation under the Quad and other regional mechanisms.
Promotes collective deterrence and open trade routes in the Indo-Pacific.
Reflects continuity in India’s strategic autonomy — partnership without alliance.
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. The new India–U.S. Defence Framework builds upon which of the following previous understandings?
2013 Joint Principles for Defence Cooperation
2016 recognition of India as a Major Defence Partner
2022 Indo-Pacific Maritime Charter
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: A
Explanation:
The framework is an extension of the 2013 and 2016 defence understandings; the “Indo-Pacific Maritime Charter” doesn’t exist.
Q. The COMPACT initiative, mentioned in context of India–U.S. defence ties, focuses on:
A. Cybersecurity cooperation between defence establishments
B. Accelerating industrial and technological defence collaboration
C. Reducing tariffs on strategic goods
D. Space-based surveillance system development
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
COMPACT = Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology → focuses on industrial & technological collaboration.
Q. Consider the following statements about the new India–U.S. Defence Framework, 2025:
It is a legally binding treaty signed under the UN Charter.
It charts a 10-year roadmap for cooperation across all defence domains.
It aims to promote a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 3 only
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
It’s a framework agreement, not a legally binding treaty (Statement 1 incorrect). It includes a 10-year roadmap and promotes a free, open Indo-Pacific (2 & 3 correct).