Observing that the India-US defence relationship has "considerably" strengthened over the past decade, Defence Secretary nominee Peter Hegseth on Tuesday told a Congressional committee that if confirmed to the post, he would review current relationship and agreements with India.
Hegseth made the remarks in responses submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing.
"It is my understanding that in the past ten years the Major Defence Partnership between India and the United States has built on itself more dramatically with very serious joint exercises and defence sales as well as with strategic dialogue," Hegseth said briefing the members of Senate Armed Services Committee.
If confirmed, in consultation with the State and Commerce Departments, I would examine our current relationship and agreements and then present the Defence Department's recommendations to the President," Hegseth said in response to a written question submitted by the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing.
Responding to a question, he said that, given China's historic and rapid military buildup, the US needs to accelerate efforts to strengthen its force posture and increase operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, the urgent need being to reestablish deterrence.
"If confirmed, I will review our posture in the Indo-Pacific and identify ways to prioritize such efforts," he said.
…I will collaborate closely with Congress to ensure there is adequate funding to enhance our posture and reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific," Hegseth said when responding to another question adding that he would collaborate with the "Undersecretary of Defence for Comptroller, and other relevant stakeholders to determine if the Pacific Deterrence Initiative is sufficient enough to achieve our military goals in the Indo-Pacific.
Read also| British Sikh MP Reiterates Call for UK Parliament Inquiry into Operation Blue Star