📰 Full Story
At the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30, 2026, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described India as a “critical anchor” for stability in the Indo‑Pacific, praising its accelerating military modernisation and expanding defence-industrial base.
Hegseth said India is building heavy industrial and logistical capacity to sustain high‑end operations and to support forward‑deployed US naval platforms in the Indian Ocean.
He announced growing US‑India cooperation on defence co‑production, citing work on Javelin anti‑tank munitions and other interoperability measures, and framed New Delhi’s rise as advancing a balance of power against potential regional hegemons.
Speaking amid plans by the Trump administration to substantially boost US defence manufacturing and spending, Hegseth also urged allies and partners to raise defence outlays and shoulder more security responsibilities.
His remarks reflected a broader US push to deepen partnerships with India, Japan, Australia and ASEAN states to strengthen regional deterrence and logistical networks.
🔗 Based On
🕰️ The Story So Far: An Evolving Timeline
Saturday, May 30, 2026 12:08 UTC
US hails India as Indo-Pacific anchor
Saturday, May 30, 2026 06:27 UTC
Hegseth urges allies to counter China's rise







💬 Commentary