Kuala lumpur: Pete Hegseth, US Defense Secretary, signed a 10-year defense agreement with India, and also held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Malaysia. In a post on X, Hegseth announced, "I just met with Rajnath Singh (India's Defense Minister) to sign a 10-year U.S.-India Defense Framework." He further stated that the agreement advances the defense partnership, which is vital for regional stability and deterrence, enhancing coordination, information sharing, and technological cooperation between the two nations.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Hegseth also met with China's Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun, describing the meeting as constructive. During the discussion, Hegseth stressed the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and expressed U.S. concerns regarding China's activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and towards U.S. allies and partners in the region. He reaffirmed that while the United States does not seek conflict, it will continue to defend its interests and ensure it has the necessary capabilities in the region. This meeting followed a previous video teleconference call with Admiral Dong in September.
Hegseth also engaged with counterparts from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Russia, exploring avenues for cooperation and coordination. Additionally, he met with his Malaysian counterpart, Mohammad Khaled Nordin, where both expressed a shared interest in securing navigation in the South China Sea, a significant area for multiple countries, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus is a platform that addresses various security challenges and promotes cooperation among regional and international partners in the Indo-Pacific region.