Indian military's power will ensure stability to the Indo-Pacific sector: US S

Singapore: The United States is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific sector. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin claimed this is the centre of the US security policies. The US Secretary of Defense expressed confidence that the Indian military power could ensure stability in this sector. Secretary of Defense Austin was speaking at the security-related Shangri-La conference in Singapore. At this time, is made a direct mention of the threat posed by China to the Indo-Pacific sector and Taiwan. The US Secretary of Defense expressed concern that China could start a war to gain control of Taiwan. China has made aggressive claims regarding the Indo-Pacific sector. The Chinese activities in this sector also are increasing tension. China is seen as adopting an increasingly tougher stand on the border dispute with India. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the United States is committed to defence-related cooperation with India.

General Charles Flinn, Chief of the US Pacific Command, had expressed concerns over the Chinese activities near the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. The US Secretary of Defense is saying that the United States is standing firm behind India, referring to the Chinese activities. The US Secretary of Defense assured that the United States would cooperate fully with India if China initiated any action against India. At the same time, the US Secretary of Defense expressed confidence in the Indian military power.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd said that the Indian military power and the technologies being developed by India could become a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific sector. Last month, the countries providing maximum security and prosperity to the world came together in the QUAD meeting held in Japan. The QUAD members are keen to cooperate with the ASEAN and Pacific Island countries. Two-Plus-Two talks were held between India-Australia and Japan-Philippines in the last few months. Austin claimed that the United States also is keen on increasing dialogue with countries from this region.

Although the US Secretary of Defense opposed the Chinese activities in the Indo-Pacific sector, there has been a significant increase in these Chinese activities since the Biden administration came to power in the United States. Analysts had warned regarding this as soon as Biden came into power. Biden served as the Vice-President during the Obama administration. During that time, China got a significant opportunity to expand in the Indo-Pacific region. An increase in the Chinese activities in the Indo-Pacific sector after Biden took over the reins of the United States is not a coincidence.

Opposition leaders in the United States criticise that although the Biden administration is making aggressive comments against China, there is no concrete action. Therefore, the Biden administration is forced to use increasingly aggressive language against China. But it becomes clear from the hegemonic Chinese activities in the Indo-Pacific that this has not affected China.