Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will today travel to Singapore to take part in the crucial Shangri-La Dialogue, an inter-governmental security forum. <br/><br/>According to news agency PTI, 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. <br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>The issues pertaining to Rafale jets deal such as consensus on actions to be taken in case of a material breach, stringent liability clause and guarantee by the French side are likely to be discussed when the two leaders meet. <br/><br/>Parrikar had last week said the government is looking at concluding the much-hyped Rafale deal next month, more than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the purchase of 36 fighter jets during his visit to France.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will today travel to Singapore to take part in the crucial Shangri-La Dialogue, an inter-governmental security forum. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>The issues pertaining to Rafale jets deal such as consensus on actions to be taken in case of a material breach, stringent liability clause and guarantee by the French side are likely to be discussed when the two leaders meet. <br/><br/>Parrikar had last week said the government is looking at concluding the much-hyped Rafale deal next month, more than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the purchase of 36 fighter jets during his visit to France.