India–Philippines Defence Partnership Gains Strategic Momentum: Rajnath Singh and Gilberto Teodoro Discuss Maritime Security and Joint Defence Production

High-level talks in Cebu underline growing defence cooperation between New Delhi and Manila, with maritime security, defence manufacturing and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific emerging as key priorities.

India and the Philippines are taking their defence partnership into a more strategic phase, reflecting their shared interest in maritime security, regional stability and a rules-based Indo-Pacific order. This growing engagement received fresh impetus during a bilateral meeting between India’s Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, and Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. on 28 October 2026 in Cebu, Philippines.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), hosted by the Philippines. Both leaders reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and explored new avenues to strengthen their strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on maritime security and joint defence production.

A significant dimension of the discussions was the potential to expand defence industrial collaboration. Moving beyond conventional defence procurement, cooperation in manufacturing, technology and industrial capabilities could create opportunities for both countries to develop more sustainable and mutually beneficial defence relationships.

Maritime security remains another central pillar of the partnership. As two maritime nations with important interests in the Indo-Pacific, India and the Philippines recognise the importance of secure sea lanes, freedom of navigation and respect for international maritime law. The proposed deployment of a Philippine liaison officer at India’s Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) is an important step towards strengthening maritime information-sharing and coordination.

The relationship has acquired additional strategic significance since India and the Philippines elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership in August 2025. Defence dialogue, military exchanges, maritime cooperation and institutional engagement have subsequently become increasingly important areas of collaboration.

For India, deeper engagement with the Philippines complements its Act East Policy and its wider commitment to ASEAN centrality. For Manila, cooperation with India offers another avenue for strengthening defence capabilities and expanding partnerships with regional stakeholders.

The Cebu meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. It also demonstrated how bilateral defence cooperation can contribute to confidence-building, maritime stability and regional security.

India and the Philippines are steadily broadening their strategic relationship, transforming shared maritime interests and diplomatic understanding into practical opportunities for defence cooperation and a more secure Indo-Pacific.