Sat May 31 02:41:07 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, written from an Indian perspective and suitable for publication in “The Hindu”:

**Headline: U.S. Reassures Indo-Pacific Amidst Rising China Tensions, But Concerns Remain**

**Singapore, May 31, 2025:** U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to allay anxieties in the Indo-Pacific region on Saturday, promising unwavering support against growing military and economic pressure from China. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr. Hegseth warned of an “imminent” threat of conflict over Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own, and reiterated Washington’s commitment to its defense.

Mr. Hegseth accused China of actively training for a potential invasion of Taiwan and highlighted Beijing’s growing ambitions in Latin America, particularly regarding the Panama Canal. He urged countries to increase defense spending, echoing calls for European nations to contribute more to their security.

While reaffirming U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific, Mr. Hegseth’s address was met with some skepticism. Observers noted the recent redeployment of U.S. military assets from the region to address crises in the Middle East and at the U.S.-Mexico border, raising questions about the true prioritization of the Indo-Pacific in U.S. strategy. Mr. Hegseth attributed the resource shift to the need to defend against Houthi missile attacks and illegal immigration, but did not directly address the impact on Indo-Pacific security.

This backdrop creates a complex situation for nations in the region, including India, which are increasingly caught between the competing interests of the U.S. and China. Many rely on China as their primary trading partner but are wary of its assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea. Mr. Hegseth cautioned against seeking both U.S. military support and Chinese economic engagement, warning of potential leverage China could exert.

The absence of China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun at the conference, interpreted as a snub to the U.S. due to ongoing trade disputes, underscored the strained relations between the two superpowers. Mr. Hegseth attempted to capitalize on China’s absence, emphasizing the U.S.’s openness to working with countries “across the spectrum” without requiring alignment on cultural or climate issues.

While Mr. Hegseth suggested the U.S. is open to countries to align without needing to align with the U.S. on cultural or climate issues, it remains unclear whether the U.S. can effectively challenge China’s economic dominance in the region. The U.S.’s recent focus on defense agreements in the Middle East further complicates the picture.

The U.S. message of support provides a degree of reassurance, the region’s strategic community will need to closely analyze whether resources and commitments will match the rhetoric. From India’s perspective, maintaining strategic autonomy and fostering a multi-aligned approach will be crucial in navigating this evolving geopolitical landscape.

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