India, Oct. 29 -- Security in the Indo-Pacific figured prominently in separate talks between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his US, Japanese and Australian counterparts on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in the Philippines, as the Quad partners underscored their commitment to peace, stability and respect for international law across the vast maritime expanse.

"Our robust partnership continues to be a cornerstone for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific," Singh said after talks with US secretary of war Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADDM)-Plus at Cebu in the Philippines from October 28-29.

The Quad is closely tracking China's expanding military footprint and influence across the Indo-Pac...