US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has hailed India as a 'critical anchor' in South Asia, saying a powerful New Delhi would help maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
In a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogues in Singapore, Hegseth pointed to closer cooperation between India and the United States on naval matters and co-production of Javelin anti-tank guided munitions.
He added that India's military modernization and industrial capacity would enable it to carry its share of the security burden, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
Hegseth also warned against the rise of a hegemonic power in the Pacific, mentioning China's military buildup and the 'rightful alarm' it had caused in the Indo-Pacific.
The comments came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a four-day visit to India and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with Rubio in Washington this week.
