India and the U.S. have renewed a 10-year [1] major defence partnership framework agreement during Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India.
The renewal signals a deepening strategic alignment between the two nations as they seek to integrate their industrial bases and enhance security in the Indo-Pacific. By focusing on indigenous production and maritime surveillance, the partnership aims to reduce reliance on external suppliers and counter regional security threats.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said the 10-year [1] agreement was recently renewed and said that a comprehensive underwater domain awareness roadmap was also signed. The discussions took place during Rubio's visit, which runs from May 23 to May 26, 2026 [2].
Jaishankar said the role of the "Make in India" initiative is shaping future defence cooperation. He said the two countries are prioritizing the indigenous approach and incorporating lessons drawn from recent conflicts to guide their forward strategy.
Beyond maritime and conventional defence, the officials discussed nuclear cooperation and other strategic areas. While some reports place the joint press conference in Kolkata [3], other sources specify only that the meetings occurred within India [4].
"Where defence and security cooperation is concerned, you're all aware that the 10‑year major defence partnership framework agreement was recently renewed," Jaishankar said. He said that the underwater domain awareness roadmap represents a key step in securing the region's waters.
The focus on the "Make in India" approach is intended to transition the relationship from a buyer-seller dynamic to a co-production model. This shift is designed to bolster India's domestic manufacturing capabilities, while providing the U.S. with a more resilient partner in Asia.
“India and the United States are prioritising ‘Make in India’ in defence cooperation.”
The renewal of this framework indicates that the U.S. is increasingly treating India as a primary security pillar in Asia rather than just a diplomatic partner. By integrating 'Make in India' into the defence strategy, the U.S. is acknowledging India's need for technological autonomy, while India is securing the high-end tech transfers necessary to modernize its military infrastructure.
