India-South Korea Defence Cooperation Gains Momentum in Indo-Pacific

Defence cooperation between India and South Korea is gaining momentum, with fresh discussions held in Cebu, Philippines, during the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). The talks were held on Wednesday, 28 October, between Rajnath Singh and Kang Shin-chul, South Korea's National Defence Minister.

The ministers examined how bilateral defence ties have grown and considered ways to co-develop military technologies. The discussion also turned to maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Rajnath Singh said the meeting was useful. The core agenda, he noted, included expanding defence collaboration, examining possibilities for jointly developing new military technologies, and deepening coordination on regional security matters.

Joint development of military systems is considered a key pillar of the relationship. Both countries had already discussed widening their defence links. At a bilateral meeting in Seoul in May 2026, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence industry, military production, maritime security, and emerging technologies.

The Cebu discussions were seen as a practical step toward that goal. Both sides looked at ways to meet security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and to reinforce regional stability through closer cooperation.

The ADMM-Plus has become a central forum for regional defence and security dialogue. Rajnath Singh is attending the meeting, where participants are discussing shared regional and international security concerns. India is using the occasion to review its defence engagement with other partner nations and to identify new avenues for strategic partnership.

India's involvement is part of its Act East Policy, which emphasises ASEAN's central role and the goals of peace, stability, and collective growth in the Indo-Pacific. Through these bilateral and multilateral engagements, New Delhi aims to advance its shared security interests across the region.