Despite wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Asia-Pacific Washington's priority, says US defense secretary

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that Asia-Pacific remains a top priority for Washington despite the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

"Despite historic clashes in Europe and the Middle East – such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the Israel–Hamas conflict – ‘the Indo-Pacific’ has remained our priority theatre of operations," Austin said during his speech at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore.

"The US can be secure only if Asia is secure. That’s why (we have) long maintained our presence in this region. And that’s why we continue to make the investments necessary to meet our commitments to our allies and partners," he added.

He said Washington wants to strengthen the integration of its strategic alliances and partnerships in Asia into a "new convergence" based on the rule of law, a commitment that will endure regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election.

"There is a ‘new convergence around nearly all aspects of security in the Indo-Pacific’… It is producing a stronger, more resilient and more capable network of partnerships, which is defining a new era of security in the region.

"This new convergence is not a single alliance or coalition, but a set of overlapping and complementary initiatives and institutions, propelled by a shared vision and sense of mutual obligation," Austin said.

The US is a Pacific nation and this region, more than any other, is shaping the country’s course, he said, adding that the US is "deeply" committed to the Indo-Pacific. They are all in and not going anywhere.

"While some critics and propagandists ‘will continue to reject the rule of law and try to impose their will through coercion and aggression, the Indo-Pacific’s new convergence points towards a better future for all of our countries.

"It isn’t about bullying or coercion; it’s about the free choices of sovereign states. And it’s about nations of goodwill uniting around the interests that we share and the values that we cherish,” said Austin, without making open reference to China.

"What we have, frankly, in our relationship with China, is a relationship based on competition. We’re not looking for a contentious relationship,” Austin replied to a question from the audience,” according to local English daily The Straits Times.

“A fight with China is neither imminent nor unavoidable.”

Austin said there is no "substitute" for direct military-to-military talks between senior leaders, "nor for open lines of communication to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations. Dialogue is not a reward, it’s a necessity."