Amidst the increasing tension in the South China Sea, US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth has said that America will provide such technologies and equipment to its allied countries with the help of which they can jointly counter China’s ‘aggressive activities’. In multilateral meetings held in Kuala Lumpur, he accused China of spreading instability in the South China Sea and said that Washington will not leave its partners alone.

America targets China’s action in South China Sea
Hegseth told the defense ministers of ASEAN countries that China has not respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries and its policies are challenging the stability of the region. He said, ‘You feel the dangers of China’s aggression in the South China Sea and other areas every day. We must enhance our joint capabilities and develop technical cooperation for better monitoring of maritime activities, so that no country is left alone. He also said that America is capable of increasing innovation and technology rapidly and it wants to share these with its partners.

Concern increases over deployment of Chinese coast guard
Hegseth’s comments came at a time when the armies of Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and the US conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea. China described this action as ‘against regional peace and stability’. China claims almost the entire area of ​​the South China Sea, which borders the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. China has deployed a huge fleet of coast guard ships in the sea, which have clashed several times with ships of Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

However, China says that its action is defensive and its coast guard is working professionally. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said on Friday that China and ASEAN should maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea by ‘uniting the Eastern Power’.

Tension increased after Trump’s nuclear test comment
Hegseth’s visit came at a time when President Donald Trump said on social media that he has directed the US military to ‘begin testing our nuclear weapons’. This directive is being seen as a signal for nuclear testing after 33 years, although it is not clear whether Trump meant nuclear blast testing or testing of nuclear-capable missiles. When Hegseth was asked about this, he said that the Defense Department would provide clarification soon, but ‘it is prudent to test a capable nuclear force.’

Indication of strengthening alliance in Indo-Pacific
Hegseth said that America is a supporter of peace but China’s activities should be closely monitored. He said that Washington is committed to creating such an army in the Indo-Pacific region that no one can compete with at the global level. He further said that dialogue with China is important and the talks with his Chinese counterpart were useful, but also warned that Beijing’s activities will have to be constantly monitored. “We do not want conflict, we want peace,” he told ASEAN defense ministers. But we have to ensure that China cannot establish its dominance over you or anyone else.

Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) on Friday (31 October) morning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In his address, he said that India has been an active and constructive partner of ADMM-Plus since the beginning. This mechanism is an integral part of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘Indo-Pacific Vision’.

Rajnath Singh said that relations between India and ASEAN are not just strategic but based on shared values ​​and trust. In the year 2022, ASEAN-India partnership was upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is a sign of deepening cooperation between the two.

Defense Minister said this big thing

The Defense Minister said that India, together with ASEAN and Plus countries, sees defense cooperation as a contribution towards peace, stability and capacity building in the region. India’s vision has always been clear about a rules-based, inclusive and open Indo-Pacific region.

Rajnath Singh mentioned UNCLOS

Referring to the United Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Rajnath Singh said that India always supports the rule of law, freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight. He also clarified that this is not against any country, but for the collective security of all regional stakeholders.

He said that today the security challenges of the region are not limited to traditional military threats, but include new areas like cyber security, maritime surveillance, infrastructure protection and humanitarian crisis management. ADMM-Plus has proved to be an effective platform in enhancing trust between countries in this direction.

Rajnath Singh, sitting near China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun, said, “India views its role in ADMM-Plus in the spirit of cooperation and partnership. Our approach is not transactional, but principle-driven and long-term.” He also added that the Indo-Pacific region should remain open, inclusive and free from any kind of pressure or coercion.” , This statement of Rajnath Singh is being considered very important, especially amidst the increasing aggression of China in the South China Sea and efforts to stop the navies of other countries.

Read this also-

Prashant Kishor Big Claim: ‘Either we will win 150 seats or less than 10’, Prashant Kishor’s big claim regarding Bihar elections

Moody’s Warns on Trans-Shipment Tariffs: The 40 percent trans-shipment tariff imposed by the US is expected to create major compliance problems for companies in India and the ASEAN region. Rating agency Moody’s has expressed concern in its report that this tariff may have a significant impact on the machinery, electrical equipment and semiconductor sectors.

US rating agency expressed apprehension

On July 31, US President Donald Trump had announced the imposition of a 40 percent tariff on goods that have been sent ‘through a third country to avoid duty’. This tariff will apply in addition to the broader country-level charges. Moody’s said in its report on Tuesday focused on ‘Trade in the Asia-Pacific region’ that it is not yet clear how the Trump administration will define ‘trans-shipment’. However, the target of this move is mainly goods produced in China, which are sent to America through third countries.

The rating agency said that the ambiguity related to transit fees poses a risk to the economies of ASEAN countries. If the US keeps this definition narrow and only includes goods imported, lightly processed or relabeled from China, the impact on regional economies will be limited.

Big impact on Indian companies!

Conversely, if the US adopts a broader interpretation of trans-shipments to include goods that contain any significant amount of Chinese content, it could cause severe economic harm to Asia-Pacific supply chains. According to the rating agency, the machinery, power equipment, consumer optical products and semiconductor sectors may face the most transit risks.

Moody’s also said that products transiting third countries are mostly in the form of ‘intermediate raw materials’ and not final consumer goods. The US rating agency said the tariffs would create major compliance challenges for ASEAN’s private sector. Exporters will face additional vigilance and certification requirements to prove ‘significant transformation’ of products to avoid US tariffs.

Read this also: India gets a big blow from China, which is extending the hand of friendship, complaint in WTO, know what is the matter

Us china tariff war: US President Donald Trump announced a 90 -day ban on tariff on Thursday (9 April 2025). Trump gave relief to more than 75 countries from his decision, but he increased the tariff to 125 percent. Meanwhile, China contacted the European Union and ASEAN (ASEAN) members against the US Risprockle tariff, but China has suffered a setback. The Chairman of the European Commission said that the European Union will also stop counter -duty for 90 days as per the move of US President Donald Trump.

China is contacting European Union and Asean countries

After imposing 125 percent tariff on Chinese goods on behalf of American, China is preparing to form a joint front by contacting the European Union and ASEAN countries. In response to Trump’s tariff, 27 countries of European company approved 25 per cent tariff on Wednesday (9 March 2025). According to a report by the News Agency Associate Press, now the European Union President Ursula von Der Leyen suspended the decision that imposed counter-tariffs for 90 days.

How many countries include ASEAN and the European Union?

ASEAN has a total of 10 country members, from different countries of Southeast Asia. Its members are Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The European Union is a group of 27 countries in Europe. This includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovenia, Slovenia, Slovenia, Slovenia, Slovenia, Slovenia, Slovenia,

WTO feared economic nakusan

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has feared a serious damage to the global economic scenario between the growing trade tension between the US and China. WTO Director General Nagoji Okonzo-Ewela said that the negative comprehensive economic impact of this global trade uncertainty will not be limited to the US and China only but will also see their impact to other economies, especially the least developed countries. The trade between the US and China in the world trade is about three percent.

Also read: Tahawwur Rana Extradition: ‘Ajmal Kasab was not to be hanged early …’, Pakistan’s former high yoga said on the extradition of Tehwavur