US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke on Friday with counterparts from China and India, beginning a series of face-to-face meetings at an ASEAN defence summit in Malaysia, as Washington seeks to boost regional security ties.

Hegseth said on X that he told China’s Dong Jun the United States would “stoutly defend its interests” and maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, while voicing concern about Chinese activities in the disputed South China Sea and around Taiwan.

He also hailed as “a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence” a new 10-year defence cooperation framework signed with Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh.

“It’s a significant step for our two militaries, a roadmap for deeper and even more meaningful collaboration ahead,” Hegseth told reporters after the signing.

Hegseth and Singh were meeting for the first time since the United States imposed tariffs of 50% on Indian goods in August as punishment for New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil.

The tariffs prompted India to pause purchases of U.S. defence equipment, with the two sides expected to discuss on Friday a review of India’s plans to buy the military hardware.