Rajnath Singh and US War Secretary Hegseth Strengthen Defence Ties in Philippines
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US War Secretary Pete Hegseth meet at ADMM-Plus to strengthen the US-India Major Defence Partnership.
In a significant diplomatic move to bolster security ties, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with US War Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines. The high-level interaction focused on deepening the strategic bond between the two nations and reviewing their shared security goals.
Celebrating a Major Partnership
The meeting served as a milestone for the two countries as they celebrated the first anniversary of the Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership. This framework, signed in 2025, was designed to usher in a transformative era of cooperation over the next decade.
Sharing his thoughts on the encounter via a post on X, Secretary Pete Hegseth described the interaction as a "great meeting," noting that both leaders explored various avenues to further strengthen their military and strategic cooperation. According to the Ministry of Defence, the 2025 framework provides a unified vision and policy direction aimed at deepening the defence relationship between Washington and New Delhi.
A Busy Diplomatic Schedule in Cebu
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the Philippines is packed with high-stakes diplomacy. Beyond his meeting with the US, Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with defence counterparts from several other key nations, including:
- Japan
- Australia
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- South Korea
- The Philippines (the host nation)
Upon his arrival in Cebu on Tuesday night, Minister Singh was accorded a ceremonial welcome by M Gen Fabian M Pedregosa PAF (Retd), Undersecretary of the Department of National Defence of the Philippines. He was also greeted by Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Harsh Kumar Jain and Defence Attaché Captain ChandraKant Kothari. Following the formal reception, the Minister took time to interact with Filipino nationals and members of the Indian community.
India's Vision for the Indo-Pacific
The Defence Minister is representing India at the ADMM-Plus forum to address pressing regional and international security challenges. Before his departure for Cebu, Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's dedication to the "Act East Policy," emphasizing the importance of ASEAN centrality.
"India is firmly committed to ASEAN centrality and the peace, stability, and collective growth of the Indo-Pacific region under our Act East Policy," Singh stated in a post on X.
US Engagement with Other Allies
While strengthening ties with India, Secretary Pete Hegseth also conducted a series of meetings with other strategic partners at the ADMM-Plus:
South Korea
Meeting with ROK Minister of National Defense Kang, Hegseth emphasized that the US-ROK Alliance is built on "peace through strength," focusing on combined lethality and ready forces to deter aggression.
Australia
In discussions with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Marles, the US Secretary noted that both nations are optimizing their alliance to deliver tangible results and strengthen deterrence.
Japan
Secretary Hegseth also met with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Their conversation centered on a shared vision of "peace through strength," with a focus on increasing investment, realistic training, and the production of essential munitions to build a credible denial defence.