Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his counterparts from ASEAN nations during the second India–ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 31. The meeting underscored the growing strategic importance of India’s partnership with ASEAN in ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his address, the Defence Minister described the meeting as a vital opportunity to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN, especially in the fields of defence and security under the ASEAN–India Plan of Action (2026–2030). He also announced two new initiatives — the ASEAN–India Initiative on Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and the ASEAN–India Defence Think-Tank Interaction, both aimed at deepening institutional cooperation.
The Malaysian Defence Minister, who chaired the meeting, welcomed Rajnath Singh and lauded India’s growing stature as a global superpower. He highlighted that ASEAN’s engagement with India in areas such as cyber and digital defence, defence innovation, and industry collaboration would strengthen regional resilience. He also praised India’s success in building a self-reliant defence industry and technology ecosystem, which could serve as a model for ASEAN member states.
The Defence Minister of the Philippines commended India’s commitment to international law and multilateralism, particularly its adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He noted India’s role as a “first responder” in the Indo-Pacific and pledged full support for the upcoming India–ASEAN Maritime Exercise and cooperative activities within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Echoing these sentiments, the Cambodian Defence Minister appreciated India’s contributions to UN Peacekeeping Operations, Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, and Military Medicine. The Singaporean Defence Minister emphasised ASEAN’s confidence in India’s leadership in maintaining regional peace and security. He proposed expanding joint activities, policy dialogues, and defence exercises, especially involving younger generations to build long-term cooperation.
The Defence Minister of Thailand also expressed support for closer ties, noting that ASEAN could greatly benefit from India’s defence technology ecosystem. He called for a vision of “regional self-reliance” in defence production.
The ASEAN Defence Ministers collectively welcomed the new initiatives and expressed their commitment to deepening engagement with India in advancing the India–ASEAN strategic partnership.