Cebu, Philippines, October 28, 2026: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reviewed progress under the 10-year India-US Defence Framework during a meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu on Wednesday.
Technology and co-production in focus
In a statement following the meeting, Singh said the two sides reviewed cooperation in military technology, information-sharing and co-production. He described the partnership as an important pillar of efforts to support a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Talks held alongside regional defence meeting
Singh is leading the Indian delegation at the 13th ADMM-Plus, scheduled for October 28 and 29. The forum brings together ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to discuss regional security and defence cooperation.
Why the framework matters
The 10-year framework provides a broad basis for defence cooperation, including work on capabilities, technology and interoperability. The public statements about Wednesday’s meeting described a review of progress and areas for further cooperation; they did not announce a new arms deal or specific procurement commitment.
Sources: Business Standard; Hindustan Times.
