Singapore — India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan is in Singapore to attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, scheduled from Friday to Sunday, marking one of the most prominent defence forums in the Asia-Pacific region.
General Chauhan will deliver a keynote address on “Future Warfare and Warfighting” on Saturday, where he is expected to outline India’s evolving defence strategies in the context of modern combat and emerging threats. The Shangri-La Dialogue serves as a critical platform for international defence diplomacy and dialogue.
The CDS will also participate in a series of special sessions, including a discussion on “Defence Innovation Solutions for Future Challenges.” According to official sources, General Chauhan will engage in bilateral meetings with top defence officials and military leaders from Australia, the European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, the UK, and the United States.
These interactions are expected to focus on strengthening military ties, enhancing defence cooperation, and addressing shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to South Asian analysts, the Shangri-La Dialogue also provides a crucial forum to explore and analyze strategic developments involving India and Pakistan. The event will feature key addresses from global leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
A total of 47 nations are expected to participate in this high-level event, including 40 ministerial-level delegates, reinforcing the Dialogue’s stature as a premier multilateral defence forum.
Notably, China will not be represented by its Defence Minister Dong Jun this year. Instead, the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University will send a delegation to attend the three-day conference. Discussions are expected to delve deep into contentious issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the broader US-China military standoff.
According to The Straits Times, this marks the first time since 2019 that China has opted not to send its defence minister to the summit — a move widely seen as reflective of the growing geopolitical tensions in the region.
The Shangri-La Dialogue continues to act as a strategic barometer for global defence trends, offering countries like India a powerful diplomatic and military voice on the international stage.
