Singapore, May 30 -- US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Saturday highlighted India as a key pillar of regional stability, saying the country is "modernising" its military to serve the shared objective of maintaining a balance of power across the Indo-Pacific and collaboration with the United States.

Speaking on the second day of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said, "In South Asia, India is a critical anchor to hold the line. A powerful India acting in its own self-interest advances our shared goal of maintaining a balance of power across the region."

The US War Secretary praised India's military modernisation efforts, particularly its growing role in the Indian Ocean region.

"India is modernising its military to carry i...