Pentagon chief joins Southeast Asian meet to shore up US ties

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Southeast Asian leaders in Kuala Lumpur to strengthen security ties amid rising tension with China over the South China Sea. Hegseth discussed India's plans to buy American military gear and a new partnership framework with India's defense chief Rajnath Singh. The South China Sea dispute, with China's grey-zone tactics and overlapping claims, was a major concern. The U.S. has stepped up its presence in the region, promising reassurance to allies and pushing back against growing Chinese influence. Hegseth urged Japan to raise its defense budget to two percent of its economy, and Trump announced plans to restart nuclear weapons testing due to concerns about China's growing nuclear arsenal. The region is on edge as security leaders navigate China's growing power in Asia. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.