Rajnath Singh To Hold Talks With US Defence Secretary Hegseth In Malaysia; Boeing Jet Deal Likely In Focus

Rajnath Singh To Meet US Defence Secretary Hegseth In Malaysia; Boeing Aircraft Deal, Trade Tensions On Agenda.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet his US counterpart, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM). The discussions come amid efforts by both nations to ease recent trade and diplomatic tensions following Washington’s tariff hike on Indian imports.

According to officials, this will be the first in-person meeting between Singh and Hegseth since the latter took office. The two leaders are expected to focus on strengthening defence cooperation and advancing key strategic projects.

Focus on Maritime Surveillance and Defence Ties

High on the agenda is India’s proposed purchase of six Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy — a deal valued at over $2 billion. The aircraft are expected to enhance India’s maritime domain awareness and anti-submarine warfare capabilities across the Indo-Pacific.

The leaders are also likely to discuss a new defence cooperation framework aimed at improving interoperability, expanding joint military exercises, and facilitating greater technology sharing between the two countries.

Resetting Bilateral Relations

The meeting comes after months of strain triggered by the US decision in August to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, reportedly in response to India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil despite Western sanctions. Singh’s planned visit to Washington that month was cancelled amid the diplomatic friction.

However, signs of a thaw have emerged. Indian refiners have since scaled back Russian oil purchases following fresh US sanctions on Moscow’s energy sector, and both sides now view the ASEAN meeting as a platform to reset ties and reinforce their strategic partnership.

Reports suggest the Kuala Lumpur talks could set the stage for a bilateral visit by either Singh or Hegseth later this year. Singh is also expected to address the ASEAN forum on November 1, where he will underscore India’s commitment to regional stability, maritime security, and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

US President Donald Trump, currently touring Asia, said in South Korea on Wednesday that he was “keen to reach a trade deal with India,” signalling renewed momentum in bilateral engagement.