Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is visiting the Philippines for two days to strengthen India’s defence partnerships with Southeast Asian nations and explore new areas of cooperation at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), being held on October 28-29.
Officials said the visit will focus on expanding defence collaboration and advancing a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Ahead of the visit, Singh reiterated India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional peace, stability and collective growth under its Act East Policy. He also said he would hold bilateral meetings with defence ministers from participating countries to review existing partnerships and identify new opportunities for strategic cooperation.
The visit comes days after Singh expressed India’s willingness to explore defence cooperation with ASEAN in areas including patrol vessels, radar systems, air defence equipment, helicopters, drones and other technologies.
ADMM-Plus to Bring Together 19 Countries
The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting is the bloc’s highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism. ADMM-Plus brings together 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners: India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
The Philippines is chairing ADMM-Plus in 2026. India is also co-chairing the expert working group on counter-terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024-2027 period.
India has expanded its defence engagement with Southeast Asia in recent years. Indonesia is set to become the third ASEAN member, after the Philippines and Vietnam, to acquire the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by India and Russia.
India Emphasises Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific
Singh has repeatedly called for an Indo-Pacific order based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law. He has also emphasised resolving differences peacefully through dialogue and strengthening regional security through cooperation.
His remarks come amid continuing territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China and several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.
India has maintained that countries should be able to protect their interests, make independent choices and pursue development without being compelled to choose sides amid strategic competition.
Singh’s participation in the meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to deepen defence partnerships, strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation and promote regional stability through dialogue and collaborative security initiatives.
