Kuala Lumpur, October 31, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with counterparts from China and India on Friday at the ASEAN defence summit in Malaysia, signaling Washington’s efforts to strengthen security ties in Southeast Asia.
Hegseth told China’s Dong Jun that the United States will “stoutly defend its interests” and maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, while expressing concerns over Chinese activity in the South China Sea and near Taiwan.
He also signed a 10-year defence cooperation framework with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, describing it as “a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence” and a roadmap for deeper military collaboration. This marks their first meeting since the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods in August, which had temporarily halted India’s purchases of U.S. defence equipment.
Hegseth is scheduled to meet defence ministers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other regional partners, while delegations from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Russia also attended.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin criticized China’s “grey-zone tactics,” such as hydrographic research under coast guard protection, calling them a “clear provocation and threat” to sovereignty in the South China Sea, a region claimed by multiple countries.
The U.S. has been increasing its presence in the region, including defence pacts with the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, and conducting joint military exercises and exchanges with Malaysia.
Ahead of Hegseth’s meetings, President Donald Trump announced plans to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing amid concerns over China’s expanding nuclear arsenal, despite ASEAN’s opposition to nuclear weapons in the region.
