On October 31, within the framework of the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, a new, historically significant defense treaty was signed between the USA and India.
The parties - US Secretary of Defense Pete Heggett and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh - signed a 10-year strategic partnership agreement. The document is expected to take relations between the two countries in the military and technological spheres to a new level.
Pentagon chief Hegset stated that the agreement serves as "the main foundation for regional stability and deterrence in the defense system." According to him, this cooperation will deepen cooperation between the armies of the two countries in the field of intelligence exchange, joint exercises, and innovative military technologies.
"This is a new roadmap for our armed forces. It will ensure more meaningful and mutually trusting cooperation in the future," Hegset said.
Indian Minister Rajnath Singh also assessed the meeting as "effective and historic." In his opinion, the new agreement opens a new page in relations between the two countries. "This document represents the growing strategic proximity between India and the USA and is of great importance for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region," he said.
The signing of the treaty coincides with a period of significant tension in relations between the two states.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on part of the country's exports following India's refusal to halt Russian oil imports. Following this decision, New Delhi temporarily suspended the purchase of American military equipment.
However, according to the latest reports, following new US restrictions on the Russian oil sector, India has stopped purchasing oil from Russia. According to Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally informed him of this.
Observers note that the new defense agreement is an important step towards restoring long-term trust between Washington and New Delhi. This cooperation covers not only the military sphere, but also the policy of technological progress and joint security.
This means that relations between India and the USA are reaching a new level - it can determine the geopolitical balance not only between the two countries, but also in the entire Indo-Pacific region.
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