Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held discussions with the Defence Ministers of ASEAN member countries during the second India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 31, 2025. The meeting underscored India’s significant role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN Defence Ministers expressing eagerness to deepen cooperation with India at the regional level.
Strategic Partnership and New Initiatives
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the meeting as a strategic platform to propel forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN, especially focusing on defence and security aspects outlined in the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026–2030. Two key initiatives were announced: the ASEAN-India Initiative on Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and the ASEAN-India Defence Think-Tank Interaction, aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation.
ASEAN’s Appreciation of India as a Responsible Superpower
The Malaysian Defence Minister, chairing the meeting, welcomed Shri Rajnath Singh and referred to India as a superpower. He noted that ASEAN would greatly benefit from enhanced collaboration with India in cyber and digital defence, defence industry, and innovation. He praised India’s success in establishing a self-reliant defence industry and advanced technological research ecosystem, highlighting the potential benefits for ASEAN member states.
The Defence Minister of the Philippines lauded India’s commitment to international law and multilateralism, particularly its adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He recognized India as the first responder in the Indo-Pacific region and expressed full support for the upcoming India-ASEAN Maritime Exercise and joint activities within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Cambodian Defence Minister acknowledged India’s rise and expressed gratitude for its training contributions in UN Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and Military Medicine.
Strengthening Youth and Regional Cooperation
Echoing similar sentiments, the Defence Minister of Singapore emphasized ASEAN’s confidence in India’s capabilities in maintaining regional peace. He advocated for increased joint activities, policy dialogues, and exercises, particularly involving younger generations to lay a foundation for future collaboration.
The Defence Minister of Thailand highlighted how ASEAN could benefit from India’s defence industry and technological ecosystem and championed the idea of ‘Regional self-reliance’ in defence production.
Outlook on India-ASEAN Defence Relations
The ASEAN Defence Ministers collectively welcomed these initiatives and expressed anticipation for deeper engagement with India to further the India-ASEAN strategic partnership. The informal meeting reinforced India’s pivotal role as a responsible superpower committed to peace, security, and cooperative growth in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Source: PIB
