India, April 9 -- US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday his country would "take back" the Panama Canal from Chinese influence. Pete Hegseth, who is visiting the Central American nation, vowed to deepen security cooperation with Panamanian security forces and said China would not be allowed to "weaponize" the canal.

"Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China's influence," Hegseth said while speaking at a pier renovated with US assistance in Panama City, according to Reuters.

"China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal and China will not weaponize this canal. Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations," he added.

The more-than-century-old ...