India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left New Delhi for Cebu, Philippines, on October 27, 2026, to attend the ASEAN defence meeting scheduled for October 28–29. He is expected to address regional and international security issues and hold talks with counterparts from participating countries.

Key Takeaways

  • Singh will lead India’s delegation at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
  • The Philippines is chairing the forum in 2026.

ASEAN defence meeting agenda

Singh said he would address the forum on shared regional and international security issues. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to ASEAN’s central role and to peace, stability and collective growth in the Indo-Pacific under its Act East Policy.

On the sidelines, Singh plans to meet defence ministers from participating nations to review existing defence cooperation and explore ways to strengthen strategic partnerships. The discussions are planned; no outcomes have been announced.

India’s role in the regional forum

ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN members and eight dialogue partners, including India, the United States and China, to strengthen security and defence cooperation. India became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1992, and the first ADMM-Plus meeting took place in Hanoi in 2010.

India and Malaysia are co-chairing the forum’s Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle.

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