On May 30, 2026, at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S.Secretary of War Pete Hegseth praised President Donald Trump for his claimed role in fostering peace between India and Pakistan after last year's military confrontation following the Pahalgam terror attack.

While Trump asserts he mediated between the two nuclear-armed nations, India maintains that the understanding was directly achieved through bilateral dialogue.

Hegseth emphasised that both India and Pakistan continue to perceive each other through security lenses and may pursue defensive measures, including potential ICBM capabilities, but he clarified that Washington does not currently view either country as a threat.

He commended both nations for their contributions to global stability and acknowledged Pakistan's efforts as a mediator in West Asia, particularly in U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.

Hegseth further highlighted India’s growing military and industrial capabilities, noting its importance in maintaining balance of power in the Indian Ocean and broader Indo-Pacific.

He outlined Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, stressing regional stability, balanced power distribution, and partnerships built on shared responsibility rather than dependency.While reaffirming U.S.commitments to allies like India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, he clarified that the U.S.seeks no confrontation with China despite security concerns.The address reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances and ensure a stable security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.