Rajnath Singh strengthens defence ties with Japan and the Philippines during Laos visit

On the final day of his three-day visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his counterparts from Japan and the Philippines to bolster defence cooperation and enhance bilateral relations. The meetings took place on Friday (November 22, 2024) on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), an important platform for defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Singh’s discussion with Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani highlighted the shared commitment to advancing defence industry and technology partnerships. Both nations acknowledged the importance of the recently signed Memorandum of Implementation of the UNICORN mast in Japan, a significant milestone in co-production and co-development initiatives within the defence sector.

The two ministers agreed to further strengthen interoperability between their armed forces by leveraging the Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Services Agreement. They also emphasized continued participation in bilateral and multilateral military exercises. Exploring new areas of cooperation in the air domain emerged as another priority. 

Speaking on the partnership, Singh stated, “Our collaboration with Japan is vital for regional stability. I am confident that our efforts will further strengthen the Indo-Pacific security architecture.”

The meeting with the Philippines' Secretary of National Defence, Gilberto Teodoro, underscored the Southeast Asian nation's role as a critical partner in India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. Rajnath Singh commended the Philippines on assuming the role of country coordinator for India in ASEAN and ADMM-Plus for the upcoming cycle.

Both sides discussed deepening collaboration in key areas, including subject matter expert exchanges, counter-terrorism, space, maritime security, and defence industry partnerships. The commitment to enhanced cooperation in the maritime domain aligns with India’s focus on ensuring freedom of navigation and combating transnational maritime threats in the region.

In his remarks, Singh said, “The Philippines is a crucial partner in our efforts to ensure peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. India remains dedicated to strengthening our defence cooperation with the Philippines.”

Before concluding his visit, the Defence Minister paid a visit to Wat Sisakat Temple, a prominent Buddhist site in Vientiane, where he sought blessings from Mahaveth Chittakaro, the temple’s abbot. The visit symbolized India’s respect for cultural and religious ties with Lao PDR and the broader Southeast Asian region.

During his stay in Vientiane, Defence Minister Singh participated in the ADMM-Plus forum and held a series of bilateral meetings with defence leaders from various nations, including Malaysia, Lao PDR, China, the United States, New Zealand, South Korea, and Australia. These discussions centered on mutual interests in defence collaboration, technology sharing, and addressing regional security challenges.

Singh’s engagements in Lao PDR reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. 

These efforts align with the broader objectives of India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at ensuring regional stability and fostering a collaborative security framework among ASEAN and its dialogue partners.

As the Defence Minister departed for New Delhi, his visit left a clear message of India’s growing involvement in shaping the regional defence landscape through meaningful partnerships and multilateral cooperation.