iscover
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has departed Washington for Singapore today to take part in an annual Asian security summit and hold talks with a range of defence counterparts.
“We’re heading to Singapore for a series of meetings to ensure the region understands that America will remain strong,” Hegseth told reporters before boarding his flight at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
The trip marks Hegseth’s second official visit to the Indo-Pacific, where he will deliver plenary remarks this Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Described as a “premier defence summit”, the three-day event brings together regional defence ministers to debate the region’s most pressing security issues, hold critical bilateral discussions and develop new strategies in response to evolving challenges, according to the summit’s official website.
In his address, Hegseth is expected to set out the US Defense Department’s vision for the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the region’s significance to American interests.
Central to this vision, Hegseth will focus on the threat posed by China and outline the steps the US is taking to address it.
“We seek no conflict with anyone, including the Chinese Communist Party,” Hegseth said. “But we will deter … We will stand strong for our interests, and that’s a big part of what this trip is all about.”
Hegseth’s itinerary in Singapore includes meetings with the country’s prime minister and other senior officials.
He will also meet bilaterally with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, marking their second meeting following Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines in late March during his first trip to the region.
Hegseth’s visit comes amid ongoing US efforts to reinforce relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, aimed at supporting a shared vision of peace, stability and renewed deterrence.
