Southeast Asia's security landscape is fast changing, and the US must continue to engage countries in the region. Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean made this point during his visit to the US.

Mr Teo's five-day trip covered the Naval Station in San Diego where six Singapore Air Force pilots are training to operate naval helicopters.

Besides meeting top US defence officials, Mr Teo also gave a speech at a Statemen's Forum in Washington DC.

He said China and India are actively engaging Southeast Asian countries. But the US has downplayed its presence, even postponing the US-ASEAN Summit, which was scheduled for September last year.

He urged the US to stay involved in ASEAN to tackle common security challenges.

Mr Teo said: "China, India, Japan - all these countries are seeking to engage countries in Southeast Asia more actively. And I suggested to them that the US may also want to see in what creative ways they can expand their already very strong relationships that they have with various countries in the region, and also as a collective with ASEAN."

Mr Teo also met US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who said he will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

On the upcoming elections in America, Mr Teo said a new US administration will not drastically change existing strong bilateral ties.

"Whatever party you come from, when you analyse the interests, I think you come to pretty the same sort of conclusions - that we share a lot of interests, and we need to work together," he said.

"In fact, that's demonstrated in practice with the Free Trade Agreements, initiated, negotiated and signed across different administrations, across parties," he added. - CNA/ch