America has once again described India as an important partner of its strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. During the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth openly praised India’s military strength, defense modernization and defense production capabilities. He said India is playing an important role in maintaining regional stability and its growing military capability is helping advance the common strategic goals of the US and its allies.

India strong base of regional stability: Hegseth
During his address on the second day of the Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said that India is playing the role of an important pillar in South Asia. He said, ‘India is a strong base in South Asia, which helps in maintaining regional balance. A strong India moving forward in accordance with its national interests strengthens our shared goal of maintaining the balance of power in the entire region.

Appreciation of modernization of Indian Army
Hegseth particularly praised India’s military modernisation. He said that India is continuously modernizing its army and is getting ready to play a bigger role in security related responsibilities. He said, ‘India is strengthening its military capabilities so that it can increase its contribution to security responsibilities, especially in the Indian Ocean region.’

Defense production capacity also praised
The US Defense Minister said that India is rapidly expanding industrial and logistics capabilities in the defense sector. He said, ‘India is developing such industrial and logistics capabilities that can support large-scale military operations for a long time. India is also developing the capability to repair and maintain our common military platforms as well as support US Naval ships deployed in the region.

Emphasis on India-US joint defense production
Hegseth said that America and India are moving rapidly towards joint production (co-production) in the defense sector. He said, ‘We have committed to pursue joint production of capabilities like Javelin anti-tank guided missile with India. These are concrete steps towards strengthening the collective preparedness of our forces.

India’s defense capability is important for the entire region
He said that India’s increasing defense production capacity is important not only for India but for the security of the entire region. “Such industrial power is not just a future goal, but a critical operational necessity of the present,” Hegseth said.

America will increase defense spending and production
The US Defense Minister said that the Trump administration is preparing for big investment in the defense sector. He said, ‘America is running a national production campaign at a historic level for its defense industrial infrastructure. We will produce the world’s best weapons on a large scale, quickly and at a reasonable cost.

Trump’s big defense investment
Hegseth said that this is not only his personal commitment but also a priority of President Donald Trump. He said, ‘After spending $1 trillion on the defense sector last year, President Trump is planning to make a historic investment of $1.5 trillion this year. Its purpose is to further strengthen America’s military power for many decades.

Demand for increased defense expenditure from allied countries also
The US Defense Minister also called upon allies and partner countries to invest more in the defense sector. He said, ‘We expect at least 3.5 percent spending on defense from our allies and partners and we ourselves are going even further than this. We want all our allies and partners to show similar commitment.

Countries that take responsibility will benefit
Hegseth indicated that the US will further strengthen defense cooperation with countries that take their security responsibilities seriously. He said, ‘The countries which accept this challenge and fulfill their responsibility as true partners will get clear benefits from it.’

America’s priority will be capable and reliable partners
Hegseth said that according to the American strategy, priority will be given to such allies who are capable, clear-thinking and ready to protect their national interests. He said, ‘We will give priority to working with ideal partner countries as part of our strategy. The countries that are most capable, far-sighted and ready to protect their interests will be at the forefront of our partnership.

Growing India-US partnership in Indo-Pacific
Hegseth’s statement is being seen as a sign of India’s growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region and deepening defense ties with the US. Cooperation between the two countries is continuously strengthening on issues of defense production, military cooperation, technical partnership and regional security.