US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth Calls India a Critical Anchor for Indo-Pacific Stability, Highlights Expanding Strategic Partnership

Highlighting India's importance in South Asia, Hegseth said India plays a crucial role in preserving regional stability and advancing shared security objectives. He stated that a powerful India acting in its own national interest supports the common goal of maintaining a balance of power throughout the region.

Hegseth noted that India is rapidly modernising its military and increasing its contribution to regional security, particularly in the Indian Ocean. He said India is building the industrial and logistics infrastructure required to sustain advanced military operations, including the capability to repair and maintain shared defence platforms and support United States Navy vessels operating in forward theatres.

His remarks regarding future strategic cooperation come at a time when the United States remains engaged in a fragile ceasefire with Iran following a conflict launched jointly with Israel in February. India has consistently advocated dialogue as the preferred path toward resolving the crisis.

Addressing broader regional security concerns, Hegseth said there is growing and justified alarm over China's historic military expansion and the increasing scope of its military activities across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

He warned that a Pacific region dominated by any single power would undermine the existing balance of power. Stressing Washington's position, Hegseth said no country, including China, should be allowed to establish regional hegemony or threaten the security and prosperity of the United States and its allies.

Although his comments focused significantly on China's military rise, they were viewed as relatively measured following President Donald Trump's recent visit to Beijing.

During his address, Hegseth also outlined the Trump administration's plans for a major expansion of defence spending and military manufacturing capacity. He said the United States is undertaking a historic mobilisation of its defence industrial base aimed at producing advanced weaponry at scale, with greater speed and at competitive costs.

Calling it a personal commitment and a presidential directive, Hegseth said President Donald Trump intends to make a generational investment in defence. After allocating approximately one trillion dollars for defence spending last year, the administration plans to increase that figure to one and a half trillion dollars this year. According to Hegseth, the objective is to expand America's military capabilities and sustain its strategic dominance for decades.

The Pentagon chief also urged allies and strategic partners to increase their defence expenditures. He stated that the United States expects allies and partners to allocate at least 3.5 percent of their gross domestic product toward defence and match Washington's level of commitment. India currently spends approximately 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defence.

Hegseth said nations willing to accept greater responsibility as security partners would receive clear strategic benefits. He added that the United States intends to prioritise cooperation with capable and dependable allies that demonstrate readiness to defend their national interests. Such countries, he said, would be moved to the front of the line in future strategic cooperation.

Further underscoring the growing defence relationship between Washington and New Delhi, Hegseth revealed that both countries are exploring joint production initiatives. He specifically mentioned efforts to pursue co-production of Javelin anti-tank guided munitions as part of broader initiatives designed to strengthen military readiness and interoperability.

Describing defence manufacturing as an immediate operational necessity rather than a long-term ambition, Hegseth linked India's expanding defence-industrial capacity to wider efforts by the United States and its partners to enhance collective military preparedness across the Indo-Pacific.

His remarks reinforced the growing strategic convergence between India and the United States, positioning New Delhi as an increasingly significant security partner in regional stability, defence manufacturing, military logistics, and the evolving geopolitical balance across the Indo-Pacific region.