US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue plenary session in Singapore on June 3. (Source: EPA-EFE)

At the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum held in Singapore on June 3, defense officials from the Philippines, the UK and Canada said that cooperation, including between countries outside the region, plays a very important role in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking at the plenary session, the officials reiterated comments by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who stressed that not only military strength but also communication and cooperation are necessary to maintain stability and security in the region.

Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand stated: “Canada is very interested in building a stable and balanced region… What does this mean?

That means an Indo-Pacific where international rules and norms prevail and all actors play their part. An Indo-Pacific where disputes are resolved peacefully. And ultimately, a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”

Meanwhile, Philippine Defense Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that growing regional competition has increased the need to uphold the rule of law and pursue dialogue.

“As the old saying goes, good fences keep good neighbors… Only when boundaries are clear and established boundaries are respected can neighborly relations be truly friendly,” said Mr. Galvez.

For his part, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace affirmed that the country will continue to "lean towards the Indo-Pacific".

Also at the meeting, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the "bold" steps taken by South Korea and Japan to improve relations and strengthen trilateral cooperation with Washington to counter growing military threats from North Korea.

The US official made the remarks as warming ties between Seoul and Tokyo have added new momentum to joint efforts to strengthen Washington's security cooperation with key allies in Asia.

“The United States has made tremendous progress in cooperation with Japan and South Korea, including more frequent exercises and greater information sharing,” Secretary Austin said.