Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held wide-ranging bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 in Singapore on 29 May 2026, with India and Canada discussing ways to deepen defence cooperation and explore collaboration across key strategic domains. The meetings signal a broadening of India's defence diplomacy at one of Asia's most consequential security forums.

India-Canada Defence Engagement

Singh met Canada's Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence Kelvin Brosseau on the sidelines of the dialogue. According to the Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Public Relations, 'Both sides discussed ways to strengthen India-Canada defence cooperation and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration across key domains, reflecting the growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations.' The meeting marks a notable step in bilateral engagement between the two countries, whose diplomatic ties have faced strain in recent years.

Maritime Security and Indian Ocean Focus

Singh also met Seychelles' Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette, with discussions centred on advancing bilateral defence cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. The Ministry of Defence noted that the interaction 'reaffirmed India's commitment to advancing peace, security and stability with its trusted partners in the region.' The Indian Ocean remains a strategic priority for New Delhi, given its centrality to global trade routes and India's broader neighbourhood-first posture.

Talks with NATO and US Indo-Pacific Command

Earlier in the day, Singh engaged with Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. Discussions focused on enhancing strategic dialogue and exchanging perspectives on evolving global security challenges, with the Ministry of Defence stating the interaction 'reaffirmed India's commitment to constructive engagement with key multilateral defence organisations.' Singh also met US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel J Paparo, with talks centred on strengthening military-to-military cooperation, deepening collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, and addressing emerging security challenges — underscoring the growing depth of India-US strategic defence ties.

India's Defence Diplomacy Vision for the Indo-Pacific

On the sidelines of the dialogue, Singh addressed leading think tanks and academic institutions on the theme of 'India's Defence Diplomacy for a Stable, Secure and Inclusive Indo-Pacific', outlining India's vision for regional security and strategic engagement. High Commissioner of India to Singapore Dr Shilpak Ambule also participated in the interaction.

India-Singapore Bilateral Cooperation

On Thursday, Singh visited the Digital Operations Technology Centre (DOTC) of the Digital and Intelligence Service of the Singapore Armed Forces, gaining insights into Singapore's advanced digital capabilities and exploring collaboration in emerging domains of warfare. He also co-chaired the 16th Defence Policy Dialogue with Permanent Secretary (Defence), Singapore, Joseph Leong, covering defence cooperation, security collaboration, and avenues to strengthen the bilateral strategic relationship. The Ministry of Defence described the dialogue as reaffirming 'the robust bilateral defence partnership between the two nations.'

With multiple high-level engagements concluded in a single forum, India's presence at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 reflects a deliberate effort to position itself as a central pillar of Indo-Pacific security architecture — a role New Delhi is increasingly asserting through active defence diplomacy.