Defence Minister Rajnath Singh To Participate In 12th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus In Kuala Lumpur
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will participate in the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. Mr Singh will address the forum on ‘Reflection on 15 years of ADMM-Plus and Charting the Way Forward’.
The ADMM serves as the highest defence consultative and cooperative body within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Defence Minister yesterday took part in the 2nd ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh highlighted that ASEAN-India relationship remains a strong pillar of stability in today’s uncertain world, where many old beliefs and expectations are changing. Mr Singh said that both ASEAN and India have shown rapid economic growth.
He underlined that maritime security is a central focus of India-ASEAN engagement. He commended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states for agreeing to the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. The Defence Minister emphasized that securing maritime routes is the country’s top priority, saying that more than half of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait.
Mr Singh also stressed the need for early completion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to further strengthen trade relations with ASEAN. Proposing a second edition of the ASEAN-India Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations, Mr Singh said that the United Nations has set an ambitious goal to increase women’s participation in peacekeeping missions.
He also proposed to establish a dedicated forum that will encourage institutional engagement between defence think tanks from both regions, saying that it will further strengthen strategic cooperation between India and ASEAN in the defence and security domain. Mr Singh said that the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and International Fleet Review 2026 will be held in India. He said these events will further strengthen naval cooperation, enhance interoperability, and help ensure maritime safety, security, and freedom of navigation.
