India Improves Military Readiness: Pete Hegseth Praises Delhi, Warns China About Indo-Pacific Security | Today’s news
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday praised India and several key Asian partners for boosting their military capabilities as he outlined Washington’s vision for a more balanced security architecture in the Indo-Pacific and warned China against its growing regional ambitions.
Speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said the United States is committed to maintaining stability throughout the Asia-Pacific while encouraging allies and partners to take greater responsibility for their own defense.
His remarks underscored a broader shift in US strategic thinking under President Donald Trump, with Washington increasingly urging friendly countries to expand military spending and play a bigger role in maintaining regional security.
India recognized for strengthening military preparedness
Among the countries praised was India, which Hegseth cited alongside Vietnam as an example of a nation improving its military preparedness in a changing security environment.
He also praised the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for what he described as their willingness to contribute more actively to collective defense efforts and regional partnerships.
“The foundation of the partnership is alignment with national interests,” Hegseth said, adding that the United States would take a “strong, quiet, clear” approach to its alliances.
The defense secretary argued that regional partnerships work most effectively when member states contribute meaningfully to shared security goals, rather than relying disproportionately on US military resources.
US warns China against regional military expansion
While he described the current US-China relationship as one of the strongest in recent years, Hegseth nevertheless delivered one of his sharpest criticisms of Beijing’s strategic stance.
Washington seeks “a favorable but enduring balance of power in which no state, including China, can assert its hegemony and maintain the security or prosperity of our nation and our respective allies,” he said.
Hegseth argued that concerns about China’s expanding military capabilities were increasingly evident in the Indo-Pacific, pointing to what he characterized as growing military activity in the region and beyond.
He claimed that there was also “legitimate alarm” in the Asia-Pacific region about China’s military build-up and expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond.
“While our goal is a decent peace, make no mistake, America is a Pacific country and we insist that China respect our long-standing position in the region.”
Defense spending is a central issue
Much of Hegseth’s speech focused on defense spending, with the Pentagon chief making it clear that Washington expects allies and partners to devote more resources to their own security.
He said the United States was aiming for defense spending of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product among allied countries and hinted that countries that met those expectations would receive preferential treatment from Washington.
“For these countries, we’re moving them to the forefront: accelerated arms sales, deep industrial cooperation, expanded intelligence sharing, the list goes on and on to the benefit of many.”
According to Hegseth, countries that demonstrate stronger defense commitments would gain faster access to military equipment, deeper industrial cooperation and strengthened intelligence partnerships.
Hegseth’s warning to allies who are lagging behind
The defense minister also warned that countries unwilling to invest enough in their military capabilities could face consequences in their relations with Washington.
“Allies who refuse to step up and carry their own weight for our collective defense will face a clear change in how we do business.”
The comments reflect a long-standing stance associated with the Trump administration, which has often argued that some US allies have benefited from American security guarantees without making a commensurate contribution to collective defense.
Before returning to office for a second term, Trump publicly suggested that Washington reassess its commitments to allies that are not meeting agreed defense commitments.
Hegseth sends a stark message to Europe
Hegseth also used the forum to draw a contrast between the Indo-Pacific and Europe, suggesting that some European partners have not taken adequate responsibility for their own security.
Alliances should take place “without drama and moralizing,” he said. “Europe should take note.”
He further argued that “for too long, the security of this region has rested disproportionately on American military power, while many of our allies and partners have allowed their own defense capabilities to atrophy.”
Despite the tougher rhetoric, Hegseth insisted that Washington remains committed to international partnership.
“America first does not mean America alone,” he said, adding that successful alliances are built on the strength, capabilities and sovereign contributions of each nation involved.
