Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a stronger and more stable partnership with ASEAN, focusing on shared prosperity, maritime security, gender inclusion in peacekeeping, and deeper defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Singh said the ASEAN-India relationship remains a pillar of stability in an uncertain global environment.
“In today’s uncertain world, where many old beliefs and expectations are changing, the ASEAN-India relationship will remain a strong pillar of stability. Both ASEAN and India have shown rapid economic growth, and we look forward to greater economic ties leading to mutual prosperity,” he said.
The Defence Minister expressed hope for the early completion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to further boost trade relations.
Highlighting India’s contribution to regional security, Singh reaffirmed the country’s commitment to international law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. “India contributes to disaster relief, counter-terrorism, and maritime security and supports adherence to international law,” he said.
He described maritime cooperation as a cornerstone of India’s engagement with ASEAN. Commending the progress on the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, Singh noted, “Sea lines of communication in the Indo-Pacific are vital for regional stability and prosperity. More than half of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait, so secure maritime routes are our top priority.”
Singh also underlined India’s support for a rules-based maritime order in accordance with UNCLOS and peaceful resolution of disputes. “Any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea must respect the legitimate interests of all countries to safeguard regional interests,” he said.
The Defence Minister further stressed India’s efforts to promote gender equality in peacekeeping. “At the first ASEAN-India Defence Ministers Meeting, an initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations was announced. Taking this forward, I propose a second edition of this initiative, to be conducted in two phases—training courses for women military officers, followed by a table-top exercise focusing on the protection of civilians and the role of women peacekeepers,” Singh said.
He also proposed the creation of a dedicated forum to strengthen institutional collaboration between India and ASEAN defence think tanks. “This initiative will promote dialogue, policy research collaboration, and capacity building to address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said, inviting ASEAN countries to nominate leading defence experts for the dialogue.
Concluding his remarks, Singh invited ASEAN nations to take part in the upcoming ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and International Fleet Review 2026 in India. “These events will strengthen naval cooperation, enhance interoperability, and ensure maritime safety, security, and freedom of navigation,” he stated.
The Defence Minister thanked Malaysia for hosting the meeting and reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing shared goals of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
-ANI