Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to collective regional security and eradication of terrorism in all forms during his address at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Cebu, Philippines on October 29, 2026. He emphasized that India's counter-terrorism expertise is not theoretical but hard-earned through decades of confronting complex cross-border security challenges, specifically referencing Operation Sindoor which demonstrated India's proactive, battle-tested doctrine against state-sponsored terror.
India stands ready to share its practical counter-terrorism experience with ADMM-Plus partners through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes, and robust intelligence sharing. India and Malaysia are currently co-chairing the Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 cycle under the ADMM-Plus framework.
On maritime security, Singh highlighted India's designation of 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and the conduct of the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. He noted that the Indian Navy has maintained an uninterrupted presence in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, successfully escorting thousands of merchant vessels and thwarting dozens of high-seas hijackings. India's emphasis on rule of law and freedom of navigation is meant to safeguard collective interests of all regional stakeholders rather than target any specific country.
The Raksha Mantri proposed establishing a defence 'Youth Bridge' to enhance India-ASEAN institutional connectivity, promote digital innovation, and facilitate capacity building in line with ADMM-Plus initiatives. This initiative aims to leverage the shared demographic profile and aspirations of young populations to build a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.