India Reaffirms US Defence Cooperation
India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening military cooperation with the United States during high-level engagements at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 in Singapore. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh also held discussions with NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone as part of India’s wider defence diplomacy outreach.
India-US Defence Cooperation In Indo-Pacific
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Admiral Samuel J Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. The talks focused on expanding military-to-military cooperation and improving strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.
Both sides discussed emerging security challenges and the need for deeper defence coordination. The engagement underlined the growing importance of India-US defence ties in maintaining regional stability and a secure maritime environment.
Rajesh Kumar Singh Meets NATO Military Chair
Singh also interacted with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee. The discussion focused on evolving global and regional security challenges and the need for constructive engagement with key defence organisations.
India is not a member of NATO, but the interaction reflects New Delhi’s wider diplomatic approach of engaging major defence platforms while maintaining strategic autonomy.
Shangri-La Dialogue Highlights India’s Outreach
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, India also engaged with think tanks and academic experts on Indo-Pacific security architecture, defence industrial cooperation and emerging technology partnerships.
Singh outlined India’s approach to a stable, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The engagements show India’s effort to deepen defence partnerships with key global players while strengthening its role in regional security discussions.
