India, U.S. Discuss Defense Cooperation, Indo-Pacific Security at Shangri-La Dialogue
SINGAPORE — Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met with U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan and a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation in Singapore on Sunday, with the two sides discussing regional security, defense cooperation and shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Harrigan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, led the congressional delegation during the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue.
The Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Public Relations said in a post on X that Singh held “productive discussions” with Harrigan and the delegation.
“The interaction reaffirmed the strength of the India-U.S. defense partnership, with exchanges on regional security, expanding defense cooperation, and advancing shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific,” the ministry said.
Singh is in Singapore on an official visit to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual security forum that brings together defense officials, policymakers and experts from across the Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East and other regions to discuss major security challenges and policy responses.
Earlier Sunday, Singh met with the defense ministers of New Zealand and Singapore on the sidelines of the forum. The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral defense ties, maritime cooperation, information-sharing mechanisms and a shared commitment to a secure, stable and inclusive Indo-Pacific, according to the Ministry of Defense.
On Saturday, Singh met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at an Istana reception hosted alongside the Shangri-La Dialogue. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral strategic ties and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, the ministry said.
Singh also met Peter Sandwall, Sweden’s state secretary to the minister of defense, to discuss ways to strengthen India-Sweden defense engagement. The two sides explored opportunities for expanded cooperation, including in defense technology and innovation.
“Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh interacted with State Secretary to the Minister of Defense, Sweden Peter Sandwall. Discussions focused on strengthening India-Sweden defense engagement and exploring opportunities for enhanced bilateral defense cooperation, including in the domain of defense technology and innovation,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Singh held separate talks with Gen. Onno Eichelsheim, the Netherlands’ chief of defense, where the two sides discussed deepening bilateral defense ties through military exchange programs and joint training activities.
He also met Belen Martinez Carbonell, secretary general of the European External Action Service, and Lt. Gen. Enrico Barduani, deputy chair of the European Union Military Committee. The meeting advanced strategic dialogue between India and the European Union, with discussions centered on shared security interests and ways to deepen defense and strategic cooperation, the ministry said.
Singh also held talks with Netherlands Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, with discussions focused on strengthening military-to-military ties and expanding defense industrial cooperation.
“Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh interacted with Defense Minister, Netherlands Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral defense cooperation, strengthening military-to-military ties, and exploring opportunities for defense industrial collaboration, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between India and the Netherlands,” the Ministry of Defense said.
In another bilateral meeting, Singh met with his Australian counterpart, Meghan Quinn. The two sides reviewed progress under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, discussed upcoming high-level engagements and explored opportunities to expand defense cooperation in areas of mutual interest. (Source: IANS)
