TIA NEWS /

PARIKARDefence Minister Manohar Parrikar will today travel to Singapore to take part in the crucial Shangri-La Dialogue, an inter-governmental security forum.

It is expected that Parrikar will strongly put forward India’s viewpoint on Asia’s complex security challenges, how to manage military competition in the region and make defence policy in uncertain times.

The Shangri-La Dialogue hosted annually by independent think-tank International Institute for Strategic Studies, is being held from June 3-5. It is attended by defence ministers and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific countries besides those of other countries.

According to reports, on the sidelines of the forum, he will also hold talks with his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian, with both countries looking at closing the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets soon.