Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he had a constructive meeting with his Chinese counterpart. Photo: AP PHOTO

The US Secretary of Defense has told his Chinese counterpart that Washington will "stoutly defend" its interests in the Indo-Pacific, while also signing a new agreement aimed at strengthening security ties with India.

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Pete Hegseth described as "good and constructive" his meeting with Chinese Admiral Dong Jun, held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defence ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He said he raised US concerns over Chinese a

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