Singapore
In a significant display of India’s proactive defence diplomacy, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh engaged in high-level bilateral and multilateral discussions at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defence summit, held here from May 29 to 31, 2026.
Singh, who assumed office in November 2024, held substantive talks with Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The discussions focused on deepening military cooperation and reinforcing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region amid evolving geopolitical challenges. Both sides emphasised the importance of interoperability, joint exercises, and shared maritime domain awareness to maintain stability in the strategically vital waters.
In a notable multilateral engagement, Singh co-chaired a working session with Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence), Joseph Leong. The talks addressed critical emerging domains including cyber security, artificial intelligence in defence applications, and maritime security, areas of growing convergence between India and Singapore.
The Defence Secretary also held productive interactions with representatives from NATO, Seychelles, and Canada, underscoring India’s commitment to broader regional and global security architecture. Accompanied by India’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Dr Shilpak Ambule, Singh addressed strategic experts on New Delhi’s vision for defence diplomacy, highlighting proactive measures to strengthen security frameworks in the Indo-Pacific.
On the sidelines of this mega event, Singh met Kevin Brosseau, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Canada. The two dignitaries explored avenues to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, including potential collaboration in training, technology transfer, and joint capability development. Sources described the meeting as reflective of the “growing convergence of strategic interests” between the two democracies.
Defence analysts note that India’s active participation at the Shangri-La Dialogue signals its intent to play a more assertive role in shaping the regional security discourse. As tensions persist across the Indo-Pacific, New Delhi continues to position itself as a reliable partner committed to rules-based order, multilateralism, and inclusive security architecture.
With over 50 ministerial-level delegates from 44 nations in attendance, this year’s Dialogue provides a crucial platform for candid exchanges on pressing challenges ranging from great power competition to emerging technologies. Singh’s engagements are expected to yield tangible outcomes in the coming months, further advancing India’s defence outreach.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
