Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to lead the Indian delegation at the upcoming 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting, known as ADMM-Plus. The high-profile international gathering is scheduled to take place in Cebu, Philippines, on October 28 and 29. In this crucial diplomatic forum, India is slated to play a key role not merely as a participating nation, but as an active contributor to bolstering counter-terrorism cooperation and regional stability.
Co-chairing the Counter-Terrorism Expert Working Group
For the 2024 to 2027 tenure, India and Malaysia are jointly serving as co-chairs of the counter-terrorism expert working group. During the upcoming sessions in Cebu, discussions will revolve around pressing regional and international security challenges. Rajnath Singh will articulate India's firm stance on these security matters. Alongside the main plenary sessions, he will hold bilateral talks with defence ministers from various participating countries to explore avenues for deepening bilateral defence ties.
Global Powers and Strategic Deliberations
The significance of this meeting is magnified by the presence of 11 ASEAN member states from Southeast Asia alongside key dialogue partners including India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. This platform provides these nations with an invaluable opportunity for direct dialogue on defence and security issues. During the proceedings, Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address a dedicated session themed on exchanging perspectives regarding regional and international security challenges.
Reviewing Existing Defence Partnerships
Apart from the formal address, the Indian defence minister will engage in one-on-one meetings with his counterparts from the attending countries. These diplomatic interactions will focus heavily on reviewing current defence cooperation frameworks and discussing concrete measures to elevate strategic partnerships to the next level, ensuring enhanced coordination on maritime and land security.
Origins of ADMM-Plus and India's Act East Policy
The expanded format of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting serves as a premier platform for regional defence collaboration. Its inaugural meeting was held on October 12, 2010, in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. India formally became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992. Since 2017, defence ministers participating in this framework have been meeting annually to continuously advance defence cooperation between member countries and their external partners. Philippines is presiding over this year's meeting cycle. India's active participation in this multilateral engagement forms an integral part of its overarching Act East Policy, which aims to forge closer ties with Southeast Asian nations while promoting regional peace, stability, and mutual prosperity. Defence analysts view the Cebu meeting as a vital opportunity for India to present its strategic viewpoint and solidify long-term defence partnerships across the region.
