India and US Review Defence Pact Amid Pakistan Aid Tensions

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met Wednesday in Cebu, Philippines, on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus. The leaders reviewed the first anniversary of a 10-year India-US Defence Framework signed in October 2025, focusing on strategic convergence in military technology, information sharing, and defense industrial co-production.

During the talks, Singh raised concerns regarding a $686 million US military assistance package intended to upgrade Pakistan's F-16 fighter fleet. India warned that such advanced US-origin technology provided to Islamabad could potentially be accessed by third parties, including China. Despite these tensions, both officials reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and discussed augmenting maritime security and integrating defense supply chains.

Singh advocated for a "zero-tolerance approach" toward nations that fund or support terrorist organizations, while Hegseth pledged unwavering US solidarity in India's fight against cross-border terrorism. In separate meetings in Cebu, Singh also discussed military interoperability with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and the co-development of military technologies with South Korean Minister of National Defence Kang Shin-chul.

Addressing the Indian community in Cebu, Singh asserted that India is no longer weak, citing Operation Sindoor as evidence of the nation's grown defence preparedness. He stated that while India does not provoke others, it responds firmly when provoked.