India has underscored its strategic priorities for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific through high-level diplomatic outreach and academic engagement in Singapore. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, engaged with leading think tanks and academia to strengthen the Indo-Pacific security architecture, defence industrial collaboration, and emerging technology partnerships.
India's Vision for Regional Security
Addressing a distinguished gathering on 'India's Defence Diplomacy for a Stable, Secure and Inclusive Indo Pacific', Singh shared India's vision for regional security and strategic engagement. He highlighted the importance of cooperative mechanisms and multilateral dialogues in addressing contemporary security challenges.
Discussions with US INDOPACOM Commander
On the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the defence secretary held discussions with Admiral Samuel J Paparo, Commander of the United States INDOPACOM. India and the US reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The discussions focused on enhancing military-to-military cooperation, addressing emerging security challenges, and deepening the strategic defence ties between the two nations.
Engagement with NATO Military Committee Chair
Singh also engaged with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee. The dialogue centred on enhancing strategic consultations and exchanging perspectives on evolving global security challenges. This interaction reaffirmed India's commitment to constructive engagement with key multilateral defence organisations.
Defence Policy Dialogue with Singapore
Singh co-chaired the 16th Defence Policy Dialogue with Singapore's Permanent Secretary (Defence), Joseph Leong. The dialogue reaffirmed the robust bilateral defence partnership between India and Singapore. Wide-ranging discussions covered key areas of defence cooperation, security collaboration, and avenues to further strengthen the strategic relationship between the two nations.
