The US Secretary of Defense has told his Chinese counterpart that Washington will "stoutly defend" its interests in the Indo-Pacific, while also signing a new agreement aimed at strengthening security ties with India.

Pete Hegseth described as "good and constructive" his meeting with Chinese Admiral Dong Jun, held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defence ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He said he raised US concerns over Chinese activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan and towards US allies and partners in the region.

"I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific," Hegseth wrote on social media platform X.

"United States does not seek conflict (but) it will continue to stoutly defend its interests a

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