30 May,2026 07:27 PM IST | Singapore | mid-day online correspondent
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth delivers an address during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday. PIC/AFP
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday described India as a "critical anchor" for maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, praising the country's military modernisation efforts and growing defence cooperation with the United States (US), news agency ANI reported.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said a stronger India was vital to preserving the balance of power in the region.
"In South Asia, India is a critical anchor to hold the line. A powerful India acting in its own self-interest advances our shared goal of maintaining a balance of power across the region," he stated.
Hegseth also lauded India's efforts to modernise its armed forces and expand its defence-industrial capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.
"India is modernising its military to carry its share of the security burden, particularly in the Indian Ocean," he stated, adding, "It's building out the heavy industrial and logistics capacity to sustain high-end military operations, including the ability to repair and maintain our shared platforms and support US Navy vessels operating forward in the theatre."
Highlighting growing defence ties between Washington and New Delhi, Hegseth said the two countries were pursuing co-production initiatives, including efforts to advance capabilities such as Javelin anti-tank guided munitions.
"We've also committed to pursuing co-production with India to advance capabilities like Javelin anti-tank guided munitions. Real, tangible steps to improve the collective readiness of our forces," he stated.
The Pentagon chief further said that India's expanding defence manufacturing capacity would play an important role in strengthening military readiness across the Indo-Pacific.
Hegseth outlined the Trump administration's plans to significantly expand US defence spending and manufacturing capacity, saying Washington was undertaking a major mobilisation of its defence-industrial base.
He urged US allies and partners to increase defence spending and contribute more to regional security, adding that countries willing to shoulder greater responsibilities would receive deeper cooperation from Washington.
"For those nations that rise to this challenge, that embrace responsibility as true partners, the benefits will be clear," he said, adding, "As our strategy states, we will prioritise working with model allies. Those nations that are most capable, clear-eyed, and ready to defend their national interests. For those nations, we are moving them to the front of the line."
(With ANI inputs)
