The United States State Department formally expressed that China's recent military drills around Taiwan 'unnecessarily' heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott issued a statement urging Beijing to exercise restraint, cease its military pressure against Taiwan, and engage in meaningful dialogue. This statement came after China concluded large-scale military exercises, reportedly dubbed 'Justice Mission 2025,' which simulated a blockade of the self-ruled island. The drills involved extensive naval deployments, air sorties, and long-range projectiles, with some reports indicating the firing of shells into Taiwan's contiguous zone. These military maneuvers by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were widely seen as a response to the US administration's approval of an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, days prior to the exercises. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected numerous Chinese aircraft and vessels near the island, condemning Beijing's actions as 'highly provocative' and the 'biggest destroyer of peace.' While former President Donald Trump initially downplayed the significance of these drills, the official US stance underlined concerns over regional stability and the potential for miscalculation. The events underscore the escalating geopolitical competition in the Taiwan Strait, a critical area for global trade and semiconductor supply chains, raising significant concerns for international partners, including those in India.