India and the United States Review a Year of Their 10-Year Defence Framework in Cebu

On October 28, 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met in Cebu, Philippines, to assess the progress of the 10-year India-U.S. Defence Framework that was signed in October 2025. The talks covered advances in strategic convergence on military technology, information sharing, and co-production of defence equipment, as well as the broader security environment in the Indo-Pacific. Singh also met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and regional security challenges.

New Indian Express

The current framework builds on a series of earlier agreements that have deepened bilateral ties: the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020. Designated a “Major Defence Partner” by the United States over a decade ago, India now benefits from expanded access to high-end U.S. military technology, shared logistics, and geospatial data under the new pact.

The Hindu

“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.” — The U.S. Secretary

The Hindu

The review marks the one-year anniversary of the framework’s implementation, signalling a continued trajectory toward deeper interoperability between the two militaries. By institutionalising co-production and technology sharing, the pact aims to enhance deterrence capabilities amid rising strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, while also reinforcing supply-chain resilience for both nations. The parallel dialogue with Australia underscores a broader effort to weave a network of like-minded partners around the region.

The Hindu