Rajnath Singh Heads To Philippines For ADMM-Plus 2026 To Strengthen ASEAN Defence Cooperation & Expand Strategic Partnerships

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh departed from New Delhi for Cebu, Philippines, to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled from October 28 to 29. The ADMM-Plus is the primary forum for defence and strategic discussions among the region's nations. Singh, leading India's delegation, aims to discuss shared regional and international security concerns during the two-day meeting.

As India's Defence Minister, he reiterates India's dedication to enhancing regional security collaboration, bolstering ASEAN centrality, and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through its Act East Policy. During his visit, Singh will engage in bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating nations to review current defence ties and explore new opportunities to strengthen strategic partnerships.

The ADMM is the highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism within ASEAN, comprising 11 ASEAN member states and eight Dialogue Partners, including India. India became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus meeting took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, defence ministers have convened annually to reinforce defense cooperation between ASEAN member states and the eight partner countries.

This year, the Philippines is chairing the ADMM-Plus in 2026, and India is co-chairing the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024-2027 cycle. The Philippines and India's participation in the forum underscores their continued engagement with Southeast Asian countries on defense and strategic matters, as well as their commitment to deepening regional partnerships under the Act East Policy.