US defence chief reaffirms Washington's regional role in meeting with SEA counterparts

South-East Asian Defence Ministers and their representatives meeting US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin (front row, centre) at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, on June 10 June, 2022. - MINDEF

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday (June 10) reaffirmed to his South-East Asian counterparts Washington's strong commitment to the region through the maintenance of an open, inclusive and rules-based security environment.

The defence leaders were meeting informally on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a high-level security summit taking place in Singapore until Sunday.