Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on November 1, 2025. He underscored that India’s commitment to the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and advocacy for freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region is not targeted against any country. Instead, it aims to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders.
Strategic Engagement Rooted in Principles: Rule of Law
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that India’s strategic partnership with ASEAN is founded on a shared belief that the Indo-Pacific must remain open, inclusive, and free from coercion. He noted the significance of inclusivity and sustainability as emphasized during Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. Inclusivity ensures all nations have equal roles irrespective of their size or capacities, while sustainability builds resilience to emerging threats through long-term cooperation.
India’s security vision integrates defence cooperation with economic progress, technology sharing, and human resource development, forming a holistic approach to its partnership with ASEAN.
India’s Role in ADMM-Plus and Future Directions
Describing ADMM-Plus as a core component of India’s Act East Policyand broader Indo-Pacific vision, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized the platform’s contribution to regional peace, stability, and capacity building. With ADMM-Plus entering its 16th year, India is prepared to deepen collaboration, promote dialogue over discord, and strengthen regional mechanisms. He cited lessons learned over fifteen years where inclusive cooperation fosters legitimacy, and collective security reinforces sovereignty.
India’s engagement with ASEAN predates ADMM-Plus but this mechanism provides a structured defence forum augmenting diplomatic and economic outreach. The elevation of the ASEAN-India partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 reflects political maturity and closer regional alignment.
As co-chair of three Expert Working Groups, including Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for 2024-2027, India continues active participation, hosting exercises, and contributing to shared standards. Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that India’s initiatives complement ASEAN’s strategic framework, reinforcing cooperation rather than competition.
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Source: PIB
