India, US review defence pact progress as strategic ties deepen

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to assess progress on a bilateral defence pact spanning ten years, officials said. The review reflects the strengthening strategic engagement between the two nations on military cooperation and security matters.

The defence agreement between India and the United States serves as a framework for enhanced collaboration across multiple domains including joint exercises, technology sharing, and operational coordination. Officials from both nations have been working to operationalize various provisions of the pact since its adoption.

The meeting between Singh and Hegseth comes as India and the United States continue to expand their defence ties amid regional security challenges. The two countries have progressively deepened military-to-military engagement through regular high-level dialogues, joint training initiatives, and information sharing arrangements.

Both nations have emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region and ensuring freedom of navigation through international waters. The defence cooperation framework is seen as instrumental in achieving these objectives while bolstering India's defence capabilities.