New Delhi, October 28 : Giving fresh momentum to the India-US defense partnership, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a significant discussion with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. During the meeting, both nations emphasized advancing cooperation in the areas of defense technology, information exchange, and joint production.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines. The two leaders reviewed the progress made under the 10-year India-US defense framework. Following the meeting, Rajnath Singh described the interaction as highly productive. Both sides discussed the progress achieved thus far under the 10-year India-US defense framework, which aims to further strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations.
The Defence Minister noted that strategic synergy between India and the US is growing in critical areas such as military technology, information sharing, and the joint production of defense equipment. Cooperation in these sectors paves the way for advancing the defense partnership between the two countries.
Rajnath Singh stated that a robust India-US partnership plays a vital role in fostering a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Defense cooperation between the two nations serves as a key pillar for their shared objectives regarding peace and security in the region. This meeting takes place at a time when various nations are actively engaged in discussions concerning security and strategic cooperation within the Indo-Pacific.
During this meeting—held on the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus—India and the US reviewed the progress of their defense ties, focusing on key areas of cooperation ranging from military technology to joint production. Under its ‘Act East’ policy, India remains fully committed to the central role of ASEAN and to fostering peace, stability, and collective development in the Indo-Pacific region. Through this policy, India emphasizes strengthening its ties with ASEAN nations and advancing regional cooperation.
Notably, during this visit, Rajnath Singh is holding bilateral meetings with the defense ministers of various partner nations. These discussions will involve a review of India’s existing defense cooperation and an exploration of opportunities to provide a new direction to these strategic partnerships. The ADMM-Plus serves as a key platform for dialogue on defense and security cooperation among regional nations and dialogue partners. India’s participation in this forum is part of its broader efforts to promote peace, stability, and shared security interests within the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting is taking place in Cebu, Philippines, on October 28 and 29. India is set to play a significant role in counter-terrorism cooperation; it is not merely a participant in this forum but is also actively contributing to enhancing collaboration against terrorism.
