Mattis reaffirms US’ commitment in Indo-Pacific region

Singapore, June 1: US Defence Secretary James Mattis on Friday reiterated his country’s commitment in the Indo-Pacific region, ahead of an important regional security summit here. Mattis made the remarks while speaking to defence ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), reports Efe news. The ministers discussed military cooperation between the Asean and the US, as well as the renewed threat of terrorism posed by the return of Islamic State militants from Iraq and Syria to their native countries.

DefenCe ministers and senior officials from 40 countries are set to inaugurate the Shangri-La forum, the most important one in the Asia-Pacific region, later on Friday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to deliver the opening speech at the forum, which will conclude on Sunday at the Shangri-La hotel. The Asean, founded in 1967, is made up of Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (IANS)