India holds high level defence engagements with key partners at Shangri-La Dialogue 2026
By R Anil Kumar
Singapore, May 30, 2026. India continued its high-level defence engagements on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh holding separate bilateral meetings with senior counterparts from the Netherlands, Australia, and the European Union, reports, citing.
The discussions underscored India’s focus on strengthening defence cooperation, military interoperability, and defence industrial collaboration with key partners.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence said Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, with talks centred on expanding bilateral defence cooperation.
Both sides discussed “strengthening military-to-military ties” and explored “opportunities for defence industrial collaboration,” reflecting what was described as the growing strategic partnership between India and the Netherlands.
The post stated: “Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh interacted with Defence Minister, #Netherlands Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral #DefenceCooperation, strengthening military-to-military ties, and exploring opportunities for defence industrial collaboration, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between India and Netherlands.”
In another post, the Ministry of Defence said Singh held discussions with Australian Defence Secretary Meghan Quinn. The two sides reviewed progress under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, assessed upcoming high-level exchanges, and identified new areas to deepen defence cooperation across shared strategic priorities.
The post said: “Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held bilateral discussions with Defence Secretary #Australia Ms Meghan Quinn. Both sides reviewed the progress of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, discussed forthcoming high-level engagements, and explored avenues to further strengthen #DefenceCooperation in areas of mutual interest.”
India and the European Union also strengthened ongoing strategic engagement in defence and security through high-level discussions aimed at expanding cooperation on shared priorities on the sidelines of the forum.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence said Rajesh Kumar Singh interacted with European External Action Service Secretary General Belen Martinez Carbonell and Deputy Chair of the European Union Military Committee Lt Gen Enrico Barduani.
The post added: “The meeting advanced strategic dialogue between #India and the #EuropeanUnion, with discussions on shared security interests and avenues for deepening defence and strategic cooperation.”
Earlier, Singh paid tribute at the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore, laying a wreath in honour of soldiers who died in the World Wars.
The Ministry of Defence said: “Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh paid solemn tributes at the Kranji War Memorial in #Singapore and laid a wreath in honour of the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the World Wars. The honour symbolises close ties between India and Singapore in remembering shared history.”
He also held talks with Canada’s Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence Kelvin Brosseau on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, discussing ways to strengthen defence cooperation and explore deeper collaboration across key domains
INDIA-NETHERLANDS COOPERATION
India and the Netherlands elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership, signing a comprehensive roadmap for 2026–2030. Defence cooperation is a central pillar of this framework, focusing on joint industrial collaboration, maritime security, and undersea infrastructure protection, reinforced by bilateral meetings between senior defence officials.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Strategic Roadmap: The partnership maps out five years (2026–2030) of focused security engagement, high-tech defence manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.
Maritime & Undersea Security: With European expertise in underwater engineering, both nations are collaborating on maritime domain awareness, naval shipbuilding, and protecting critical seabed infrastructure and energy pipelines.
Defence Technology & Industrial Collaboration: Focus areas include joint research and production involving dual-use technologies, advanced sensors, and electronics.
Military-to-Military Ties: The two ministries engage in frequent bilateral dialogues—such as talks at the Shangri-La Dialogue—to strengthen interoperability and joint exercises.
Regional Security: India has expressed historical apprehensions regarding European military exports to Pakistan (e.g., minehunter transfers). New Delhi continuously stresses that closer strategic alignment with India requires restraint in supplying sensitive defence equipment and technologies to regional adversaries.
Technology Transfer: India aims to leverage Dutch expertise in semiconductors, lasers, and quantum technology to aid its indigenous defence manufacturing and self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) goals.
INDIA-AUSTRALIA DEFENCE COOPERATION
India and Australia’s defence cooperation has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership focused on ensuring a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Bilateral ties are anchored by the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expanded mutual logistics, maritime, and technological agreements.
Key Pillars of the Partnership.
Strategic & Ministerial Dialogues: Defence Ministers from both nations co-chair dialogues to drive strategic trust and review military interoperability. These efforts are heavily supported by ongoing Defence Policy Talks (the 10th round took place recently in New Delhi).
Joint Military Exercises: Interoperability has grown significantly through multilateral and bilateral drills. India participates in Australia’s large-scale Exercise Talisman Sabre, while both nations frequently engage in the Malabar naval exercises alongside other Quad partners
India, Australia set to deepen defence ties at ministers’ dialogue in Delhi
Defence Minister and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence to hold second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles will co-chair the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on June 1, 2026. The dialogue will review the progress in bilateral defence cooperation and identify new avenues for collaboration.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles will co-chair the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on June 1, with discussions set to focus on expanding strategic and defence cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the dialogue will review progress in bilateral defence ties and explore new avenues for collaboration. Key areas on the agenda include strengthening defence and security cooperation, enhancing military interoperability, boosting defence industry partnerships, and exploring co-development and co-production opportunities. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global security developments of mutual interest.
The meeting is expected to further deepen strategic trust, strengthen defence relations and contribute to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Officials said the dialogue will also help identify new areas of cooperation in the defence and security sectors.
Marles’ visit comes after the inaugural India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue held in Australia in October 2025 and reflects the growing momentum in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
Australia is regarded as a key partner in India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, with both countries continuing to expand cooperation across strategic, economic and security domains. The visit is expected to further reinforce the depth and maturity of the India-Australia defence partnership.
The discussions will focus on strengthening defence & security cooperation, enhancing military interoperability, industry collaboration, including co-development and co-production opportunities, and regional & global security developments of mutual interest. The meeting is expected to further strengthen bilateral defence relations, enhance strategic trust and cooperation, promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region and identify new areas of collaborations in defence & security.
The visit of Mr Richard Marles follows the inaugural Dialogue held in Australia in October 2025 and reflects the growing momentum in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia is a key partner in India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The visit underscores the growing depth and maturity of the India-Australia defence partnership.
INDIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
India and the European Union signed a landmark Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) to institutionalize and expand strategic cooperation. The framework addresses shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, emerging military technologies, and supply chain resilience.
Key Pillars of the Partnership
Maritime Security: Focuses on upholding freedom of navigation, conducting joint naval exercises, and scaling counter-piracy operations in critical sea lanes.
Defence Industry & Technology: Explores Indian participation in EU defence initiatives and aligns the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Made in Europe’ industrial agendas
Cyber and Space Security: Promotes information sharing, situational awareness, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in defence.
Counterterrorism: Strengthens joint working groups to prevent the financing of terrorism and address the intersection of organized crime and violent extremism.
Operational Framework and Next Steps
Annual Dialogue: The agreement upgraded previous consultations into a dedicated EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue, which held its first session in New Delhi to align assessments on global geopolitical threats.
Information Security Agreement: Both parties are negotiating an agreement to facilitate the secure exchange of classified information
Strategic Access: The partnership provides India indirect access to the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, encouraging joint procurement and defence-industrial base integration.
The SDP marks a shift in EU-India relations, positioning India as a vital strategic and security actor rather than solely an economic partner, all while preserving India’s principle of strategic autonomy.
INDIA-CANADA BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
India and Canada are undergoing a rapid reset in their bilateral relationship, with a newly institutionalized defence and security partnership. The countries are actively expanding military-to-military ties, supply chain resilience, and counter-terrorism frameworks to align their strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Pillars of Defence & Security Cooperation
Institutionalized Defence Dialogue: India and Canada formally established a bilateral Defence Dialogue to exchange strategic outlooks, align on regional security developments, and explore collaborative opportunities.
Maritime & Operational Security: The nations launched a Maritime Security Partnership focused on defence material cooperation, military interoperability, and cooperative naval activities. Both countries also agreed to explore joint training opportunities and professional military exchanges.
Diplomatic Representation: To build structural linkages, Canada appointed a dedicated Defence Attaché to India, while India handles concurrent accreditation from its Defence Attaché in Washington, D.C
Counter-Terrorism & Law Enforcement: Security cooperation is guided by the Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism. Both nations are advancing joint measures to tackle transnational organized crime and illicit drug flows.
Strategic Energy Security: While primarily an economic and energy measure, Canada supports India’s long-term resource and nuclear security, notably through a landmark nine-year CAD 2.6 billion agreement with Canadian firm Cameco to supply uranium concentrate to India’s expanding nuclear fleet.
