US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has called India a critical anchor in regional stability, urging the country to act in its own self-interest to maintain a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hegseth noted that India is modernising its military to serve shared objectives, including maintaining a balance of power and collaborating with the US.
He praised India's defence manufacturing capabilities, saying the country could support US Navy vessels and repair and maintain shared platforms.
Hegseth also highlighted the need for a powerful India to advance the US's shared goal of maintaining a balance of power across the region.
He pointed to China's "historic military buildup and expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond" as a concern, but his remarks were relatively measured in light of President Donald Trump's recent Beijing visit.
