India to Participate in 13th ADMM-Plus Meeting in Philippines

India’s Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh, will lead the Indian delegation to the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled for 28–29 October 2026 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. The Philippines holds the ADMM-Plus chairmanship for 2026, and the meetings have the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together”.

ADMM-Plus Framework

The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) is a forum for defence ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ADMM-Plus brings together the 11 ASEAN member states and eight Dialogue Partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. The framework provides a forum for dialogue and practical cooperation on regional defence and security issues. Its areas of cooperation include counter-terrorism, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, humanitarian mine action and cyber security.

India’s Participation and Agenda

Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the meeting on “Exchange of Views on Regional and International Security Issues”. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with defence counterparts from participating countries to review and strengthen defence ties. India co-chairs the ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–2027 cycle. India’s participation is aligned with its Act East policy, which aims to deepen engagement with Southeast Asian countries.

Chairmanship and Defence Cooperation

The Philippines is chairing the 2026 ADMM-Plus meeting and hosting it in Lapu-Lapu City, in Cebu. The meeting theme is “Navigating Our Future, Together”. The ADMM-Plus includes ASEAN members and Dialogue Partners in its defence and security discussions.

Important Facts for Exams

• ADMM-Plus comprises 11 ASEAN member states and eight Dialogue Partners.
• India is one of the eight Dialogue Partners in the ADMM-Plus framework.
• India and Malaysia co-chair the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024–2027 cycle.
• The 13th ADMM-Plus meeting is scheduled for 28–29 October 2026 in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines.

The Philippines holds the ADMM-Plus chairmanship in 2026. The meeting’s stated theme is “Navigating Our Future, Together”.