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Amidst tensed bilateral relations between U.S.-China, India-Pakistan, and China-Taiwan, not-withstanding the on-going wars around the world like Russia-Ukraine and Israel’s engagements in the Middle-East, Asia’s most important defense summit, Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore concluded on Sunday, albeit on a fear-wish note.

Leaders talked of impending dangers from possible foes and advised nations the necessity of strengthening their defense as well as increase their defense spendings.

China-U.S.

While China remained on the target of nations, Beijing chose to keep its defense minister away, instead choosing to send a delegation of academics from People’s Liberation Army’s National Defense University.

But China remained at the centre of debate for the United States and many other nations. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth marked on Saturday, according to a U.S. Department of Defense release, saying: “As was mentioned, I'm certainly proud to be back into the Indo-Pacific for the second time as the Secretary of Defense.  And I'm going to keep coming back, and back, and back again. You're stuck with me.

“But it's not just me.  America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific — and we're here to stay. The United States is an Indo-Pacific nation.  We have been since the earliest days of our Republic.  We will continue to be an Indo-Pacific nation — with Indo-Pacific interests — for generations to come.”

The U.S. Defence Secretary in his speech further marked, “…let me begin by saying, we do not seek conflict with Communist China. We will not instigate nor seek to subjugate or humiliate.  President Trump and the American people have an immense respect for the Chinese people and their civilization.  But we will not be pushed out of this critical region.  And we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated.

“China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia.”

China on Sunday, however, objected to the remarks of U.S. Secretary of Defense, Hegseth, terming his comments as “deplorable”.

Regarded as Asia’s most important defense meeting, Shangri-La Dialogue had kicked off on Friday in Singapore and concluded on Sunday.

Top leaders of nations, military officials, arms dealers took part in the meet, wherein the main concern of deliberations, as it appeared, was defene threat in Indo-Pacific, though defense concerns in Europe too were deliberated upon.

India-Pakistan

Two nations which went on war recently, India and Pakistan—both nuclear armed, too sent in their top military officials who were in full unforms, though they avoided any interaction at the meet.

A few days back, India had launched an attack on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s various spots which India called as terrorists’ hub after a terrorist attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir region, allegedly sponsored, as India alleged, by Pakistan, to which Pakistan denied involvement. Both India and Pakistan went on a full-fledged war for four days, concluding in a ceasefire agreement after international intervention.

During the last few months, U.S.-China bilateral relationship has gone through rough weather, including in spheres of trade and education.

European Security

French President Emmanuel Macron, who took part in the defense meet, called for Asian coalitions as he talked of US-China rift. He said the increasing rift between the two superpowers is a cause of concern for the world. He emphasised the need for building a new coalition between France and the partner nations in the Indo-Pacific. Macron, however, played safe and reiterated that France is an ally and a “friend” of the United States.

Nations like Russia, Iran, Israel and a few more, were not part of the meeting.

Both the U.S. and France, however, want to strengthen their Indo-Pacific defense ties. Though the U.S. and Europe had been close allies until very recently, United States’ latest foreign policy has adopted a distancing from Europe’s defense concerns, reiterating that Europe should increase its defense spending.

For Australia too, Beijing was on the target when Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said that Beijing was rapidly expanding and modernising its nuclear capabilities.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, wanted even Europe to boost its military budget and focus on its security.

The defense meet in Singapore was a sign of what nations thought of war and peace at a time when the world has been in the throes of conflicts in recent days.

While China-U.S. have been embroiled in trade war and China is desperate to overtake United States in economy, the Donald Trump administration in the U.S. is going tough on China, latest being its decision with regard to Chinese students’ visa. The United States is feeling that its varsities are empowering China by training Chinese top brains in various sectors of crucial importance.

On-going Conflicts

Disputes in the South China Sea, conflict between India-Pakistan, now with-standing the on-going wars between Russia-Ukraine and the European concerns over Russian aggression, humanitarian concern arising due to Israel-Hamas conflicts—all adding up makes up a huge volume of security concerns. Some nations are nuclear powers.

U.S. President Trump too has announced his plan to build a Golden Dome as a multi-layered missile defense system for the United States.

To conclude,

This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue took place amidst many disputes and conflicts, as well as amidst pain wars and despair of failed peace-talks.

The dialogues ended mostly with talks of why and how to up security, instead of de-escalating tensions.