Defence Minister Rajnath Singh concluded his significant engagements at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, and has since returned to Delhi.
During his visit, Singh underscored India’s unwavering commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with ASEAN nations and fostering peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
A key highlight of his address at the ADMM-Plus meeting was the proposal for an ‘India-ASEAN Youth Bridge’. This initiative aims to bolster people-to-people connections, promote digital innovation, and enhance capacity building among the vibrant youth populations of India and ASEAN countries. Singh emphasized that the shared demographic advantage of a young populace in both regions provides a strong foundation for a bright future.
Furthermore, the Defence Minister reiterated India’s firm stance on regional security and counter-terrorism. Citing India’s extensive on-ground experience in combating cross-border security challenges, he asserted that India’s counter-terrorism strategies are thoroughly tested and proven effective. He strongly condemned state-sponsored terrorism, reaffirming India’s dedication to eradicating this menace at its roots.
Beyond the multilateral discussions, Singh engaged in crucial bilateral meetings with defence ministers from six nations, including the US, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Singapore, to further strengthen regional security ties. India’s active participation in ADMM-Plus, co-chairing the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for 2024-2027, highlights its deepening defence diplomacy under the ‘Act East’ policy, aiming for collective growth and stability in Southeast Asia.