Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, highlighted a significant initiative: the ‘India-ASEAN Youth Bridge’.
This project aims to strengthen people-to-people connections, foster digital innovation, and build capacity across India and ASEAN member nations.
Singh emphasized the shared advantage of a young demographic in both India and ASEAN countries, stating, “India believes that our greatest strength lies in our young population—in their energy, dynamism, and aspirations. Both India and the ASEAN nations possess a relatively young demographic. This commonality provides us with a distinct advantage and interlinks our futures.” He pointed out that nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines benefit from this youth dividend, allowing them to compete globally.
The Defence Minister called for collaborative efforts with ASEAN members to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He reiterated India’s firm stance against state-sponsored terrorism, drawing on India’s extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations. Singh referenced ‘Operation Sindoor’ as an example of India’s proactive approach in dismantling terrorist infrastructure. He also extended India’s condolences to the Philippines for the tragic aircraft crash on October 23rd, expressing solidarity with the Philippine Armed Forces and the bereaved families.