Defence Ties in Focus as Rajnath Singh Meets Pete Hegseth

New Delhi, October 28: Rajnath Singh and US War Minister Pete Hegseth held a significant bilateral discussion aimed at reviewing and expanding defence cooperation between India and the United States.

The talks covered defence technology, information exchange and joint production, areas both countries see as central to a stronger partnership. The discussion reflected a shared desire to convert the framework into concrete progress.

The meeting was held on Wednesday in Cebu, Philippines, on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus, or ADMM-Plus. The leaders used the opportunity to examine the progress under the 10-year India-US defence framework.

Following the meeting, Singh termed the talks with Hegseth very good. He said both sides had reviewed the advances made so far under the 10-year framework, which seeks to further strengthen defence cooperation.

Singh observed that strategic coordination between India and the US is deepening in military technology, information sharing and the co-production of defence equipment. He said cooperation in these sectors creates an opportunity to advance the defence partnership.

He also said the strong India-US partnership plays a vital role in promoting a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region. Defence cooperation between the two countries, he added, is a key pillar of their common objectives of peace and security.

The meeting coincided with ongoing discussions among various countries on security and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the ADMM-Plus sidelines, India and the US reviewed the progress of their defence relationship and concentrated on major areas of cooperation, from military technology to joint production. India, under its Act East Policy, is fully committed to ASEAN's central role and to peace, stability and collective development in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on strengthening ties with ASEAN countries and regional cooperation.

During his visit, Singh is holding bilateral meetings with defence ministers of partner nations. These meetings will review India's present defence cooperation and consider opportunities to give strategic partnerships a new direction.

ADMM-Plus is an important platform for regional countries and dialogue partners to discuss defence and security cooperation. India's participation is part of its broader efforts to advance peace, stability and shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific.

The meeting in Cebu, Philippines, is scheduled for October 28 and 29. India is expected to play a key role in counter-terrorism cooperation at the forum, actively working to boost collective action against terrorism rather than merely participating as a member.