Rajnath Singh, Japan's Koizumi Forge Stronger Defence Ties in Cebu
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi in Cebu to strengthen Indo-Pacific security and defence ties.
In a significant move to bolster security in the Indo-Pacific, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in high-level bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, in Cebu, Philippines. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), where both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing bilateral relations and deepening defence cooperation.
A Gesture of Friendship and Shared Responsibility
The meeting began on a warm note, with Rajnath Singh greeting Shinjiro Koizumi in Japanese. Reflecting on their previous interactions, the Indian Defence Minister expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of the relationship between the two nations. He emphasized that India remains fully committed to intensifying the collaboration between the defence forces of India and Japan.
“As two leading democracies in Asia, India and Japan share a profound responsibility to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” stated Rajnath Singh during the discussions.
Responding to the warm reception, Minister Koizumi expressed his gratitude and assured India of Japan's unwavering commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors, with a primary focus on defence.
A Whirlwind of Diplomatic Engagements
The meeting with Japan is part of a series of intensive diplomatic engagements for Rajnath Singh in Cebu. Prior to his discussion with the Japanese minister, Singh held bilateral talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.
The Indian Defence Minister's itinerary remains packed, with scheduled meetings with counterparts from:
- The Philippines (the host country)
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- South Korea
These discussions are aimed at tackling critical regional and international security challenges while exploring new avenues for defence cooperation.
Understanding the ADMM-Plus Framework
Rajnath Singh is in Cebu to represent India at the ADMM-Plus, the premier defence consultative mechanism for ASEAN. This platform brings together the ten ASEAN member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam—alongside eight Dialogue Partners, including India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
India's journey with ASEAN began as a dialogue partner in 1992, and the first ADMM-Plus was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, the ministers have met annually to solidify security frameworks. Notably, the Philippines will serve as the chair for ADMM-Plus in 2026.
India's Strategic Role and the Act East Policy
India continues to play a proactive role within the ADMM-Plus structure. For the 2024-2027 cycle, India is co-chairing the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in partnership with Malaysia.
This active involvement is a cornerstone of India's Act East policy, which seeks to deepen defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia. By fostering these strategic partnerships, India aims to ensure collective growth, stability, and a lasting peace across the region.