Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Saturday, 31 May 2025, held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Meghan Quinn on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, reviewing the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and charting the course for deeper defence cooperation. The meeting is among a series of high-stakes bilateral engagements Singh conducted during the annual security summit.

India-Australia Strategic Partnership Reviewed

During the meeting with Quinn, both sides assessed ongoing progress under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, discussed forthcoming high-level engagements, and identified new avenues for collaboration in areas of mutual strategic interest. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the discussions in an official post, noting that both nations explored opportunities to further strengthen defence cooperation.

Key Bilateral Meetings at the Dialogue

On Friday, Singh met Kelvin Brosseau, Canada's Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, with both sides exploring deeper collaboration across key domains. The Ministry's Directorate of Public Relations noted the talks reflected 'the growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations.'

Singh also held discussions with Seychelles Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette, focusing on maritime security collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region. The interaction, according to the Ministry, 'reaffirmed India's commitment to advancing peace, security and stability with its trusted partners in the region.'

Separately, Singh met NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, with talks centred on enhancing strategic dialogue and addressing evolving global security challenges. The Ministry described the interaction as reaffirming India's 'commitment to constructive engagement with key multilateral defence organisations.'

Singh also held discussions with US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel J Paparo, focusing on military-to-military cooperation, Indo-Pacific collaboration, and emerging security challenges — reaffirming, according to the Ministry, the 'shared commitment towards deepening India-US strategic defence ties.'

India's Vision for Indo-Pacific Security

On the sidelines of the dialogue, Singh addressed a gathering on the theme 'India's Defence Diplomacy for a Stable, Secure and Inclusive Indo-Pacific', sharing India's vision for regional security and strategic engagement. High Commissioner of India to Singapore Dr Shilpak Ambule also participated in the interaction. Singh additionally engaged with leading think tanks and academia on defence industrial collaboration and emerging technology partnerships.

Singapore Engagements: Digital Warfare and Policy Dialogue

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 Singapore's Permanent Secretary (Defence) Joseph Leong, reaffirming what the Ministry called a 'robust bilateral defence partnership' through wide-ranging discussions on security cooperation and strategic ties.

What Comes Next

The flurry of bilateral engagements at the Shangri-La Dialogue signals India's increasingly active defence diplomacy across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. With high-level follow-up engagements expected across multiple bilateral tracks — including with Australia, Canada, and the US — the outcomes of Singapore are likely to shape India's defence cooperation calendar through the rest of 2025.