Ankara: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the emergence of a 'true friendship' between Washington and Islamabad, attributing Pakistan's leadership with aiding efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict in Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a question-and-answer session at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth praised the roles of Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in facilitating peace negotiations concerning the Iran conflict. The summit organizer, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), later released his remarks on YouTube.

Hegseth remarked that the development of an unexpected friendship between the United States and Pakistan was evident in President Donald Trump's role in brokering peace between India and Pakistan following their military confrontation last year. This underscores a significant improvement in US-Pakistan relations over the past year, particularly Washington's engagement with Pakistan's military leadership.

Despite the praise for Pakistan, Hegseth reiterated India's critical role in the US strategy for the Indo-Pacific region. In his address, he described India as a 'critical anchor' for maintaining regional balance, noting that India is modernizing its military to contribute significantly to regional security, especially in the Indian Ocean.

Hegseth affirmed the United States' commitment to co-producing weapons with India, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. He also addressed concerns about India's long-range missile capabilities, stating that both India and Pakistan perceive security threats from each other, prompting continued development of missile systems as part of their deterrence strategies.