US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has praised India’s growing military strength and ongoing defence modernisation, stating that India is becoming a key anchor in the Indo-Pacific security architecture.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he described India as a powerful nation whose military modernisation and expanding industrial capacity contribute significantly to regional stability.

He emphasised that a strong India acting in its own strategic interest supports the broader goal of maintaining a balance of power in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

Hegseth also highlighted the deepening defence cooperation between India and the United States, including joint co-production initiatives aimed at enhancing military readiness.

He mentioned collaborative projects such as the production of Javelin anti-tank guided munitions, reflecting a shift towards more tangible defence manufacturing partnerships.

According to him, India is not only strengthening its armed forces but also developing heavy industrial and logistics capabilities to support sustained high-end military operations.

The US Defence Secretary further linked India’s defence growth to wider regional security needs, stating that industrial capacity is an immediate operational requirement rather than just a long-term objective.

He also outlined Washington’s broader defence strategy, including increased defence spending, expansion of the US military-industrial base, and expectations for allies to raise their own defence contributions.Hegseth urged partner nations in the Indo-Pacific, including Japan, South Korea, ASEAN members, and Australia, to enhance their defence readiness.

He reiterated that the Indo-Pacific remains the most strategically important region globally, while also warning against any attempt by China to establish regional dominance.

Overall, his remarks underline the growing strategic convergence between India and the United States, especially in defence manufacturing, military readiness, and regional security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.