US, India strengthen defense ties amid China threats

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the U.S., he and President Donald Trump announced a new 10-year defense partnership aimed at enhancing military cooperation, particularly in response to China's growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The partnership will include co-production of defense equipment and potential sales of advanced military hardware like F-35 jets, although formal acquisition processes are yet to be initiated. Concurrently, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized maintaining a strategic advantage over China through strengthened alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines, reaffirming U.S. commitments to mutual defense treaties. Meanwhile, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed alignment on countering Chinese economic aggression while enhancing their nations' security collaboration. These developments underscore a unified stance against regional threats, focusing on defense spending and strategic partnerships. Analysts suggest that these efforts reflect a broader strategy of 'peace through strength' in the Indo-Pacific, as both the U.S. and its allies seek to bolster their military capabilities in the face of China's assertiveness.