US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described India as a key pillar of regional stability and a “critical anchor” and noted on Saturday that it was working to modernize its military to serve common goals. These include “maintaining the balance of power” in the Indo-Pacific region, and cooperating with the United States in this.
Hegseth was speaking on the second day of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. “In South Asia, India is a crucial anchor to hold the line,” he said.
He also talked about why the US wants India to work for its own interests above all else. “A strong India that acts in its own self-interest reinforces our common goal of maintaining the balance of power across the region,” he added.
He added, “India is working to modernize its army to bear its share of the security burden, especially in the Indian Ocean.” Hegseth praised India’s defense manufacturing capabilities and said India could “support US naval ships.”
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“[India is] “Building heavy industrial and logistics capabilities to continue advanced military operations, including the ability to repair and maintain our joint platforms and support US Navy ships operating in theater,” he said.
This claim of forward planning comes at a time when the United States is in the middle of a fragile ceasefire with Iran in a war it participated in waging with Israel in February. India has called for dialogue as the way out.
Hegseth also said in his speech that there is “legitimate alarm” regarding China’s “historic military buildup and expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond.”
“A Pacific region dominated by any hegemon would destabilize the regional balance of power,” Hegseth said. “No country, including China, can impose its hegemony and threaten the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies.”
However, his targeted comments on China were relatively measured in light of President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Beijing.
Sets defense spending target for allies, promises benefits
He outlined the Trump administration’s plans to achieve a major expansion in US defense spending and manufacturing capacity. “America is witnessing a historic national manufacturing mobilization of our defense industrial base. We will produce the best weapons in the world at scale, quickly and at a reasonable price,” he said, adding: “This is my personal commitment to all of you, and this is our president’s request.”
He said President Donald Trump, after spending $1 trillion on defense last year, plans to make a generational investment of $1.5 trillion on defense this year, “to unleash America’s arsenal of freedom and expand American military dominance for decades to come.”
Hegseth also urged US allies and partners to increase their defense commitments. He said: “We are asking 3.5% (of GDP) from our allies and partners, and we are far exceeding this number. We expect every ally and partner to keep up with this kind of resolve.” India currently spends about 2% of its GDP on defence.
He added: “For those countries that rise to this challenge, and that embrace responsibility as true partners, the benefits will be clear. As our strategy states, we will prioritize working with exemplary allies. Those countries that are most capable, clear-eyed, and willing to defend their national interests. For those countries, we are moving them to the front of the line.”
On Indo-US cooperation
Hegseth, who also highlighted the expanding defense cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, spoke about co-production initiatives being explored.
“We have also committed to continuing co-production with India to enhance capabilities such as Javelin anti-tank guided munitions. Real, tangible steps to improve the collective readiness of our forces,” he said.
The Pentagon chief linked India’s growing defense industrial capabilities to broader efforts by the United States and its partners to enhance military readiness across the region.
“This type of artificial muscle is not just a long-term goal, it is an immediate operational necessity,” Hegseth said.
