Rajnath Singh Hits Cebu: Guard of Honour and High-Stakes Defence Diplomacy
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joins the 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu, Philippines, holding key bilateral talks on maritime security and military tech.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived in Cebu, Philippines, marking a significant step in New Delhi's strategic outreach in Southeast Asia. Upon his arrival at the Mactan Expo, the Minister was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour, setting a formal and prestigious tone for his participation in the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The Powerhouse of Regional Security: What is ADMM-Plus?
The ADMM-Plus serves as the premier consultative and cooperative mechanism for defence within the ASEAN framework. It is a massive diplomatic gathering that brings together 11 ASEAN member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam—alongside eight key Dialogue Partners.
India, which has been a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1992, sits at the table with other global powers including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. While the inaugural meeting took place in Hanoi in 2010, the forum has evolved into an annual gathering since 2017 to solidify defence ties across the region.
Strategic Bilaterals: Strengthening the Indo-Pacific
Beyond the main plenary sessions, Minister Rajnath Singh utilized the sidelines of the summit to engage in a series of high-level bilateral discussions. These meetings focused on the critical pillars of military technology, regional security, and operational readiness.
Philippines: Maritime Focus
In a meeting with Gilberto C Teodoro Jr., the Secretary of National Defence of the Philippines, the discussions centered on expanding the strategic partnership between the two nations. A major emphasis was placed on maritime security and the potential for joint defence production. Following the talk, Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to an inclusive, free, and open Indo-Pacific region.
South Korea: Tech Collaboration
The Minister also sat down with South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul. The conversation shifted toward the co-development of advanced military technologies and methods to bolster security frameworks within the Indo-Pacific theater.
Japan and the USA: Deepening Ties
The diplomatic marathon continued with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, where both leaders reviewed the progress made since their last engagement in August. Furthermore, Singh met with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to evaluate the India-US Major Defence Partnership. This interaction provided a vital opportunity to assess foundational security agreements and discuss ways to enhance operational readiness and technical cooperation.
India's Broader Vision: Act East Policy
India's active role in the ADMM-Plus is a clear reflection of its "Act East Policy," aiming to sustain diplomatic and strategic engagement with Southeast Asian nations. India's influence in the region is further highlighted by its current role as the co-chair of the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, a position it holds alongside Malaysia for the 2024-2027 cycle.
As the Philippines prepares to chair the ADMM-Plus in 2026, India's current participation underscores its ambition to be a primary security provider and a reliable strategic partner in the heart of Asia.