Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu on the sidelines of the 13th ADMM-Plus to review progress on their 10-year major defence partnership covering technology, information sharing and co-production.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu, Philippines, on October 28th, 2026, on the margins of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
The two reviewed progress under the 10-year Framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership signed in 2025, covering military technology, information sharing and co-production, which both described as advancing strategic convergence for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Singh is leading the Indian delegation to the two-day ADMM-Plus, where he will also address regional security issues and hold other bilateral meetings.
Singh’s post on X and Hegseth’s corresponding post, along with reports from Business Standard and DD India, confirm the meeting, the anniversary of the framework, and the topics discussed; the official DVIDS photograph shows the handshake.
The talks reinforce ongoing defence ties amid broader Indo-Pacific security discussions at the ASEAN forum, with further bilateral engagements expected during the meeting.
Outcomes will be measured by any concrete follow-up projects announced after the ADMM-Plus concludes.
People Sentiments Public Mood: Positive
- Singh called the meeting excellent
- Hegseth described it as great and noted the framework anniversary
- Both highlighted strategic convergence