Defence Minister To Advance Indo-Pacific Security Priorities at ADMM-Plus, Meet US, Japanese and Australian Counterparts

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Cebu, the Philippines, on Tuesday night to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), where he is set to discuss key regional and global security concerns. Singh was welcomed at the airport by retired Major General Fabian M. Pedregosa, Undersecretary of the Philippines Department of National Defence. Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Harsh Kumar Jain and Defence Attaché Captain ChandraKant Kothari were also present.

During his visit, the Defence Minister met members of the Indian community and Filipino nationals at his hotel, highlighting the strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries. Singh is scheduled to address the ADMM-Plus gathering on Thursday, outlining India’s position on security challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific and the wider international community. Before departing for the Philippines, he reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN nations and promoting regional peace, stability and economic development through its Act East Policy.

In a post on X, Singh said India remained committed to ASEAN centrality and the collective growth, peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. The visit will also feature a series of bilateral discussions with defence counterparts from several participating countries, including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and South Korea. The meetings are expected to focus on existing defence partnerships, stronger strategic cooperation and potential areas for future collaboration.

ADMM-Plus is a major platform for defence dialogue and practical cooperation between ASEAN members and eight partner countries: India, the United States, Japan, Australia, China, Russia, South Korea and New Zealand. The forum aims to build mutual confidence, encourage cooperation on shared security challenges and contribute to regional stability.

India has been an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since 1992 and has gradually expanded its defence and security engagement with Southeast Asian countries. Its participation in ADMM-Plus reflects New Delhi’s continued emphasis on a peaceful, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The Philippines, serving as chair of ADMM-Plus in 2026, is hosting the meeting in Cebu, with participating nations seeking to strengthen regional coordination and address common security concerns through dialogue and cooperation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.