New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday reviewed progress under a 10-year India-US defence framework aimed at strengthening cooperation in military technology, information sharing and co-production of defence equipment.
During their talks in Cebu, the Philippines, the two leaders also discussed the situation in the Indo-Pacific and evolving regional security dynamics.
India and the US signed the defence framework in October last year, setting out a roadmap to strengthen their bilateral defence partnership over the next decade.
Singh and Hegseth are in Cebu to attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and some of its dialogue partners.
In a social media post, Singh described his talks with Hegseth as "excellent".
"We reviewed the progress of our 10-year India-US Defence Framework, driving strategic convergence across military technology, information sharing, and co-production. Our robust partnership continues to be a cornerstone for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific," he said.
Hegseth, meanwhile, said: "Great meeting with Indian Minister of Defence Singh. We celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Framework for our Major Defense Partnership and explored ways to strengthen cooperation."
India-US defence ties have continued to advance despite strains in diplomatic relations between the two countries under the Trump administration.
In 2016, the US designated India a "Major Defence Partner", paving the way for greater access to critical military equipment and technology.
The two countries have also signed several key defence and security agreements in recent years. The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), signed in 2016, allows their militaries to use each other's bases for repairs and replenishment of supplies.
In 2018, India and the US signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), which facilitates secure communications and access to advanced US defence technology.
In October 2020, the two sides signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which enables the sharing of geospatial information to support military operations.
Separately, Singh met Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to discuss bilateral defence cooperation, military interoperability and regional security challenges.
"We had productive discussions on reviewing our bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing military interoperability, and addressing regional security challenges. India places great value on its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific," Singh said.