Rajnath Singh, Hegseth review 10-year India-US Defence Framework at ADMM-Plus
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth marked one year of the latest 10-year India-US Defence Framework — the third such agreement since 2005 — reviewing progress on military technology, information sharing, and co-production in a meeting that reinforces India's Indo-Pacific security posture under the Act East Policy.
Key Takeaways
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Cebu, Philippines on 28 October 2026 at the 13th ADMM-Plus .
Both sides reviewed the 10-year India-US Defence Framework , signed on 31 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur — making this its one-year progress review.
The framework covers military technology, information sharing, and co-production ; earlier editions were signed in 2005 and 2015 .
Singh is leading India's delegation at the two-day ADMM-Plus forum on 28–29 October and holding multiple bilateral meetings.
India is co-chairing the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–2027 cycle.
The Philippines chairs the ADMM-Plus in 2026 ; the forum brings together 11 ASEAN states and 8 Dialogue Partners .
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines on 28 October 2026, reviewing progress under the landmark 10-year India-US Defence Framework. The bilateral meeting underscored the two nations' deepening strategic convergence across military technology, information sharing, and co-production.
What Was Discussed
Posting on X, Singh described the meeting as 'excellent' and said both sides assessed gains made under the defence framework, with a focus on 'strategic convergence across military technology, information sharing, and co-production.' He further characterised the bilateral partnership as 'a cornerstone for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.'
Hegseth, responding on X, called the meeting 'great' and said the two sides 'celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Framework for our Major Defense Partnership and explored ways to strengthen cooperation.'
History of the India-US Defence Framework
The India-US Defence Framework has now been through three iterations. The first was signed on 28 June 2005 for a 10-year term, building on the initial 1995 Agreed Minutes on Defence Relationship. The second renewal was signed on 3 June 2015 in New Delhi. The current and third framework was signed on 31 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — also on the sidelines of an ADMM-Plus meeting — by Singh and Hegseth, making the latest bilateral session a one-year progress review of that agreement.
Singh's Broader Cebu Agenda
Singh arrived in Cebu on Tuesday for a three-day visit to the Philippines. He is leading the Indian delegation at the two-day ADMM-Plus forum on 28 and 29 October and is scheduled to address the meeting on shared regional and international security challenges. Beyond the Singh-Hegseth session, the Defence Minister is holding multiple bilateral meetings with counterparts from participating nations, describing them as opportunities to 'review ongoing defence ties and explore new avenues to strengthen strategic partnerships.'
Singh also reaffirmed India's commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional stability under its Act East Policy, positioning New Delhi as an active security partner in Southeast Asia.
India's Role at ADMM-Plus
The ADMM-Plus is the highest defence consultative mechanism within ASEAN, bringing together the 11 ASEAN member states and 8 Dialogue Partners — India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. India became a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992; the inaugural ADMM-Plus was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 12 October 2010. Since 2017, defence ministers have met annually within the forum.
The Philippines holds the ADMM-Plus chair in 2026. Notably, India is also co-chairing the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–2027 cycle — a role that reflects New Delhi's growing institutional footprint in the region's security architecture.
Strategic Significance
The Singh-Hegseth meeting is the latest in a sustained pattern of high-level India-US defence engagement, set against a backdrop of shared concerns over Indo-Pacific stability. This comes amid broader Quad-level coordination and ongoing India-US co-production discussions in sectors such as jet engines and munitions. The next round of framework implementation talks is expected to be shaped by the priorities identified in Cebu.
Point of View
The third iteration of the India-US Defence Framework coincides with heightened Indo-Pacific tensions and accelerating Quad momentum. The co-production and technology-sharing threads are the ones to watch: unlike earlier iterations, the 2025 framework was negotiated with live joint manufacturing discussions on jet engines and munitions in the background. Whether Cebu translated those discussions into deadlines — or left them as aspirations — is the question the readout does not answer.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the India-US Defence Framework discussed in Cebu?
The India-US Defence Framework is a 10-year bilateral defence agreement that governs military technology cooperation, information sharing, and co-production between India and the United States. The current framework — the third such agreement — was signed on 31 October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
What was the outcome of the Singh-Hegseth meeting at ADMM-Plus?
Both sides reviewed progress made under the 10-year India-US Defence Framework and marked its one-year anniversary, reaffirming their commitment to strategic convergence across military technology, information sharing, and co-production. Hegseth also posted on X that they explored ways to strengthen cooperation further.
What is the ADMM-Plus and why is India participating?
The ADMM-Plus is the highest defence consultative mechanism within ASEAN, bringing together 11 ASEAN member states and 8 Dialogue Partners including India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. India participates as part of its Act East Policy to deepen security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia.
How many times has the India-US Defence Framework been renewed?
The framework has been through three iterations: first signed in June 2005 for 10 years, renewed in June 2015 in New Delhi for another 10 years, and renewed again in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The original foundation was the 1995 Agreed Minutes on Defence Relationship.
What else is Rajnath Singh doing at the Philippines visit?
Singh is leading India's delegation at the 13th ADMM-Plus on 28–29 October 2026 in Cebu, where he will address the forum on regional and international security issues. He is also holding multiple bilateral meetings with defence ministers from participating nations to review defence ties and explore new strategic partnerships.
