KUALA LUMPUR:

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held talks on Friday with counterparts from China and India, among a series of face-to-face meetings at an ASEAN defence summit in Malaysia as Washington seeks to boost its influence and regional security ties.

Hegseth said on X he told China's Dong Jun the United States would "stoutly defend its interests" and maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, while voicing concern about Chinese activities in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

He also hailed as "a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence" a new 10-year defence cooperation framework signed with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"It's a significant step for our two militaries, a roadmap for deeper and even more meaningful collaboration ahead," Hegseth tol

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