Giridhar Aramane, the defence secretary for India, highlighted the country’s unwavering position against China’s military aggression along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, characterising it as a defence against a “bully.” He emphasized how crucial it is for the US and India to work together to advance peace and stability by influencing the Indo-Pacific region’s geopolitical environment. Aramane conveyed appreciation for US assistance in trying times, especially with equipment and intelligence sharing.

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane made reference to the situation resulting from China’s military assertiveness along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh on Wednesday, saying that India is fighting a “bully” in a very “determined fashion”. He made these comments in response to a query during an interactive INDUS-X Summit session.

According to Aramane, the US and India have the potential to significantly influence the Indo-Pacific’s geopolitical environment and advance prosperity, peace, and stability in the area.

“The possibility that we may encounter a similar situation to what we faced in 2020 is keeping us active all the time,” he stated.

Aramane was questioned about the difficulties India is having along the LAC and New Delhi’s hopes that Washington would address shared difficulties.

“The intelligence and situational awareness that the US government and equipment provided us with helped us very quickly. Thus, that is the one and only most crucial area,” he stated.

According to the defense secretary, it will be crucial that the US and India stand by one another in the face of a common threat.

“In nearly every front we have with them, India is outperforming our neighbor. We are stationed there at every mountain pass, and we are required to be present on every road. Thus, in a very determined manner, we are there confronting a bully,” he remarked.

India, according to Aramane, looks to friends like the US for assistance.

“We expect that our friends the US will be there with us in case we need their support,” he stated.

“We are really grateful for the commitment and assistance from

In eastern Ladakh, Indian and Chinese troops are at a standoff in some areas of friction that they have completed disengaging from after lengthy military and diplomatic negotiations.

Aramane emphasized during his speech at the summit that the US and India are important players in the Indo-Pacific region, bound by similar interests and shared values.

We are living through a critical juncture in the Indo-Pacific region’s history. The Indo-Pacific region is at the intersection of global trade, geopolitics, and security because of its enormous oceanic expanse and strategically important waterways, according to Aramane.

“In navigating the complex dynamics of this region, India and the US find themselves as key stakeholders, bound by shared values and common interests,” he stated.

In addition to pointing out that mutual respect and strategic convergence are the foundation of the two nations’ strong defense partnership, Aramane highlighted the Initiatives on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) launch as a crucial step in strengthening ties.

“A pivotal aspect of our burgeoning relationship is the iCET that aims to establish ‘Innovation Bridges’ across key sectors,” he stated.

“Our bilateral relationship is flourishing,” Aramane said, referring to the bilateral cooperation in the aerospace and defense sectors. “India is increasingly turning to the US for cutting-edge equipment and technology.” In response, the US views India as a crucial ally in the Indo-Pacific region, capitalizing on the country’s expanding defense capabilities.”

He also discussed the multilateral agreements in which both nations are parties.

The “success stories” of India’s defense production were highlighted by the defense secretary. These included the development of cutting-edge platforms like the Tejas multi-role fighter aircraft and the shipbuilding of aircraft carriers.