During the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 16, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised India’s dedication to “freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters.”
Addressing the meet, the minister highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue and reaching consensus among nations while adhering to international laws for resolving maritime disputes.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Union Defence Minister engaged in discussions with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on how India and the US could collaborate to support ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific.
Additionally, Rajnath Singh met with his Indonesian and Vietnamese counterparts, Prabowo Subianto and General Phan Van Giang, to assess bilateral defense relations.
India put forth a proposal to co-chair an Expert Working Group on Counter-terrorism during the meeting, recognising terrorism as a serious threat to international peace and security, especially in the ASEAN region. The proposal received endorsement from ADMM-Plus, underscoring the shared concern about terrorism among countries in the region.
