Pete Hegseth calls India a ‘critical anchor’ in Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific strategy

🇮🇳🤝🇺🇸 U.S. Defense Secretary **Pete Hegseth** praised India’s rapidly expanding military capabilities and defense modernization efforts during the prestigious **Shangri-La Dialogue** in Singapore, calling India a critical pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, Hegseth described India as a “critical anchor” in maintaining regional balance amid increasing geopolitical competition.

Speaking before defense leaders and policymakers from around the world, Hegseth emphasized that a stronger India contributes to broader regional security and supports efforts to preserve stability across Asia. He pointed to India’s significant investments in advanced military technology, indigenous defense manufacturing, missile systems, naval capabilities, and combat readiness as evidence of the country’s rising strategic importance on the global stage.

The U.S. official also confirmed deeper defense-industrial cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, including plans to pursue co-production initiatives involving advanced military systems such as **FGM-148 Javelin** anti-tank guided weapons. The comments reflect expanding collaboration through joint military exercises, technology-sharing agreements, defense innovation partnerships, and growing interoperability between the armed forces of both nations.

Hegseth’s remarks came alongside renewed warnings about China’s growing military presence and influence across the Indo-Pacific. He urged regional partners to strengthen deterrence, deepen security cooperation, and remain vigilant as geopolitical competition continues to reshape Asia’s strategic landscape.

For India, the recognition highlights its emergence as one of the world’s most important defense and security players. While continuing to pursue an independent foreign policy, New Delhi has steadily strengthened strategic partnerships worldwide while advancing its goal of becoming increasingly self-reliant in defense production and military technology. 🌏🛡️🚀