Pete Hegseth: Will Work With State, Commerce To Reassess Partnership With India

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, pledged during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on January 14 to collaborate with the State and Commerce Departments to review the India-US partnership.

The former combat veteran and TV news host emphasized the importance of joint military exercises, defense sales, and strategic dialogues in strengthening ties between the two nations.

“If confirmed, in coordination with the State and Commerce Departments, I would review our current relationship and agreements and provide the Defense Department’s recommendations to the President,” Hegseth stated in response to a written question from the committee.

During the hearing, Hegseth outlined his defense priorities: “First and foremost, we will defend our homeland, our borders, and our skies. Second, we will work with our partners and allies to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific from communist China. Finally, we will responsibly end wars to prioritize our resources and reorient to larger threats. We can no longer count on ‘reputational deterrence’—we need real deterrence.”

Hegseth is the first of Trump’s nominees to undergo the confirmation process, which will determine whether they are approved or rejected for their respective roles.