Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held crucial discussions with his counterparts from South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Lao PDR. These meetings underscored India’s growing defence partnerships and strategic engagements in the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthening India-South Korea defence ties
In talks with South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, Rajnath Singh highlighted the potential for co-production and co-development within the defence manufacturing sectors of the two nations. He invited Korean companies to invest in India’s defence corridors, emphasising the opportunities to establish manufacturing facilities.
India and South Korea share a Special Strategic Partnership, which has seen significant progress in recent years. Both sides agreed to continue working on the Roadmap for Defence Industry Cooperation signed in February 2020 and to further enhance bilateral defence ties through mechanisms such as the Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD). The next edition of DPD is set for December 2024.
Congratulating Kim Yong Hyun on his appointment as Defence Minister, Singh reiterated India’s commitment to advancing cooperation in addressing shared challenges and threats.
India-Australia defence cooperation
Meeting Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry & Capability Delivery, Singh reaffirmed the strong foundation of the India-Australia partnership, grounded in shared interests, including ensuring security and stability in the Indian Ocean region.
The discussions included the exchange of the Implementing Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refuelling, which will strengthen interoperability between the air forces of the two nations. Both sides identified areas for collaboration, particularly in niche defence technologies, and agreed to elevate their bilateral and regional defence engagements.
Shared vision with New Zealand
In a meeting with New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins, Singh emphasised the strong ties between the two nations, rooted in shared democratic traditions, governance systems, and cultural affinities, including cricket and mountaineering.
Singh called for the early finalisation of a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) to deepen bilateral defence collaboration. Both leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in shipbuilding, leveraging India’s advanced capabilities in the sector.
Engagement with ASEAN and Lao PDR
At the ADMM-Plus, Singh engaged in discussions with ASEAN leaders, including General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Lao PDR. He also met Khaled Nordin, Malaysia’s Minister of Defence, to further regional defence cooperation.
Addressing an Indian community event in Laos, Singh highlighted India’s strides in various sectors and its growing role in global peace and security.
India-US defence partnership
On the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus, Singh met US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin to review the robust progress in the India-US defence partnership. Both leaders praised enhanced operational coordination, information-sharing, and industrial innovation under the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap.
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They discussed priority co-production initiatives, including jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems. Singh highlighted the success of his August 2024 visit to the US, where significant agreements such as the Security of Supplies Agreement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement on Liaison Officers were signed.
The leaders also reviewed initiatives under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), including the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, and the launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project. These efforts aim to bolster rapid civilian response to natural disasters in the region.
In a post on X, Singh described Secretary Austin as a “great friend to India” and praised his role in deepening the India-US defence partnership.
“It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, Lloyd Austin. His contribution towards strengthening the India-US defence partnership has been exemplary. I wish him the very best in all his future endeavours,” Singh wrote.
Strengthening regional partnerships
Rajnath Singh’s engagements at the ADMM-Plus reflect India’s commitment to fostering stronger bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region. By aligning with key partners and addressing shared security challenges, India continues to enhance its role as a stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific.
The meetings underscored the importance of collaboration in defence innovation, interoperability, and regional stability, strengthening India’s strategic influence in the global arena.
