India, Australia review strategic defence cooperation during bilateral talks

India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met with Australia’s Defence Secretary Meghan Quinn in Singapore on May 30 to review the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The discussions, held during the Shangri-La Dialogue, focused on advancing defense cooperation in areas of shared interest and planning future high-level engagements. Singh also held separate meetings with Canada’s Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Kelvin Brosseau, and Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette. With Canada, the focus was on deepening defense collaboration, while with Seychelles, discussions centered on enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. During the dialogue, Singh engaged with NATO’s Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel J Paparo. The talks emphasized strengthening strategic dialogue, addressing global security challenges, and reaffirming India’s commitment to multilateral defense partnerships. Additionally, Singh co-chaired the 16th Defence Policy Dialogue with Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence) Joseph Leong, reinforcing bilateral defense ties. He also visited Singapore’s Digital Operations Technology Centre to explore collaboration in advanced digital and technical warfare domains. In a separate session, Singh addressed a gathering on ‘India’s Defence Diplomacy for a Stable, Secure and Inclusive Indo-Pacific,’ outlining India’s vision for regional security and strategic engagement.