US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that a “true friendship” is developing between Washington and Islamabad, citing Pakistan’s involvement in diplomatic efforts to help negotiate an end to the war in Iran. His remarks signal a notable diplomatic shift in US engagement with South Asia, where strategic relationships with Pakistan and India are increasingly being recalibrated amid broader regional security challenges.
Speaking at a defence summit in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth publicly praised Pakistan’s political and military leadership, specifically singling out the country’s army chief and prime minister for their roles in supporting peace negotiations. He described the emerging relationship between Washington and Islamabad as an “unexpected development and a true friendship,” suggesting that recent diplomatic cooperation has helped reshape bilateral ties.
Hegseth also referenced US President Donald Trump’s earlier role in attempting to broker peace between India and Pakistan during their conflict last year, arguing that Washington’s engagement in South Asia has contributed to easing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. However, India has consistently rejected claims that the US played a decisive role in brokering a ceasefire during the May 2025 conflict, which brought the two countries close to full-scale war.
In the year following that confrontation, US relations with Pakistan have appeared to strengthen, particularly through closer engagement with Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s powerful army chief. At the same time, diplomatic observers have noted signs of strain in US-India relations, despite Washington’s continued efforts to maintain strategic cooperation with New Delhi in the Indo-Pacific region.
During his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth also emphasised India’s importance in regional security architecture, describing it as a “critical anchor” in South Asia. He said India is actively modernising its military capabilities in order to take on a greater share of regional security responsibilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean, which has become an increasingly contested strategic space.
“The United States remains committed to co-producing weapons systems with India,” Hegseth said, highlighting ongoing defence-industrial cooperation between Washington and New Delhi. The remarks reflect continued US efforts to deepen military collaboration with India even as it expands diplomatic engagement with Pakistan.
Hegseth’s comments on Pakistan came in response to a question regarding India’s long-range missile capabilities and broader regional deterrence dynamics. He said both India and Pakistan are likely to perceive security threats from each other, and that this mutual concern would drive continued development of missile systems and military capabilities on both sides.
The US defence secretary’s remarks underscore the complex balancing act Washington is pursuing in South Asia, where it maintains a strategic partnership with India while simultaneously seeking to stabilise relations with Pakistan, a country that has historically played a dual role in US security interests, particularly in counterterrorism and regional diplomacy.
Analysts say the apparent warming of US-Pakistan ties reflects a pragmatic shift in American foreign policy priorities, particularly as Washington seeks to manage multiple global crises and reduce regional instability. Pakistan’s reported involvement in facilitating dialogue related to the Iran conflict has further elevated its diplomatic relevance in US strategic calculations.
At the same time, India remains central to US long-term Indo-Pacific strategy, especially as both countries share concerns over China’s growing influence in the region. Hegseth’s remarks reaffirmed that despite tensions over specific diplomatic narratives, defence cooperation between Washington and New Delhi remains strong, particularly in areas such as joint weapons production, maritime security and intelligence sharing.
The dual-track approach highlights the evolving nature of US engagement in South Asia, where competing security interests, regional rivalries and shifting geopolitical alliances continue to shape policy decisions. While Washington seeks to deepen defence cooperation with India, it is also signalling openness to renewed engagement with Pakistan under conditions of regional diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Hegseth did not provide further details on the nature of Pakistan’s involvement in the Iran negotiations, nor did he outline specific policy changes resulting from the perceived improvement in bilateral relations. However, his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue were widely interpreted as a signal of recalibrated US priorities in the region.
The evolving US posture comes at a time of heightened geopolitical competition across Asia, where defence partnerships, arms procurement and regional alliances are increasingly central to national security strategies. Observers say Washington’s ability to maintain constructive relationships with both India and Pakistan will remain a key test of its diplomatic flexibility in the Indo-Pacific theatre.
As the security landscape continues to shift, the emerging “true friendship” described by Hegseth may signal a new phase in US-Pakistan relations, even as Washington continues to position India as a cornerstone of its broader regional defence strategy.
