Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for exploring new avenues to strengthen strategic partnerships during his visit to Cebu, Philippines, for the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The crucial meeting, held from October 28 to 29, focused on regional and international security challenges.
Singh emphasized the ADMM-Plus as the premier platform for defence and strategic consultations in the region. He reiterated India’s firm commitment to ASEAN centrality and the peace, stability, and collective growth of the Indo-Pacific region, aligning with the nation’s ‘Act East Policy’.
During his visit, the Defence Minister engaged in several bilateral discussions with his counterparts from participating nations. These interactions provided a vital opportunity to review existing defence cooperation and identify new strategies to enhance strategic ties.
ADMM-Plus serves as a significant forum for ASEAN member states and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to foster security and defence collaboration. India, which became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1992, actively participates in these mechanisms, underscoring its deepening defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia. This engagement aims to ensure lasting peace, stability, and collective prosperity across the region.