New Delhi: India's Defence Minister to Address ASEAN Summit on Regional Security

NEW DELHI: In a significant diplomatic move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to participate in the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers’ meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, starting November 16. The meeting, the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), serves as a pivotal platform for addressing crucial regional and international security issues.

The event, hosted by Indonesia as the chair of ADMM-Plus, brings together the defense ministers of the ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) along with their eight dialogue partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand). India, a dialogue partner since 1992, has been actively contributing to the cooperative mechanism initiated by the ADMM-Plus.

During the summit, Defence Minister Singh will deliver a keynote address, shedding light on India's perspective on critical security matters. The sidelines of the ADMM-Plus will witness bilateral meetings between Singh and his counterparts from participating countries, aimed at fostering stronger defense cooperation and strategic engagements.

The ADMM-Plus, recognized as the highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN, emphasizes practical cooperation through its seven Experts Working Groups (EWGs). These EWGs focus on key areas such as Maritime Security, Military Medicine, Cyber Security, Peacekeeping Operations, Counter-Terrorism, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

In the ongoing cycle from 2021-2024, India holds the co-chair position for the EWG on HADR alongside Indonesia. The meeting will also announce the next set of co-chairs for the 2024-2027 cycle, underscoring the commitment of member countries to sustained cooperation and joint efforts in addressing contemporary security challenges.

As India continues to play an active role in the ADMM-Plus, the summit marks a crucial juncture for fostering regional stability and cooperation. The outcomes of the meeting are anticipated to further strengthen the ties between ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners, with a shared commitment to addressing evolving security threats in the region.

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