Their remarks on India’s role in the Indo-Pacific came during meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM).
‘Modern-day warfare transcends borders, citizens must be prepared’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (File Photo: X/@rajnathsingh)
The ASEAN defence ministers on Saturday appreciated New Delhi’s key role in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, with the defence ministers of Malaysia and the Philippines describing India as a superpower.
Their remarks on India’s role in the Indo-Pacific came during meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM).
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The ASEAN defence ministers present at the meeting have also sought to deepen defence cooperation with New Delhi at the regional level.
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In his address on the occasion, Singh highlighted that the second India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ informal meet represents a strategic opportunity to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership of India with ASEAN, particularly the defence and security components of the ASEAN-India plan of action for 2026–2030.
He announced two forward-looking initiatives, namely the ASEAN-India initiative on women in United Nations peacekeeping operations and ASEAN-India defence think-tank interaction.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian defence minister has stated that ASEAN, as a community, will benefit by deepening its engagement with India in the realm of cyber and digital defence as well as defence industry & innovation.
He lauded the nation’s ability to set up a self-reliant defence industry and technological research ecosystem, which can benefit the ASEAN member states.
The defence minister of the Philippines mentioned that by demonstrating adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, India has set an example for the other countries in the region to follow.
While appreciating the country’s role as the first responder in the Indo-Pacific region, he extended full support for the forthcoming India-ASEAN Maritime exercise and highlighted the upcoming Joint Cooperative activity in the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Cambodian defence minister complimented the rise of India, and expressed gratitude for its contributions in training in UN peacekeeping operations, HMA and Military Medicine.
Reiterating the sentiments expressed by the defence ministers of the Philippines and Cambodia, the Singapore defence minister emphasized that ASEAN has faith in India’s capacity and capability in playing a key role in ensuring peace and security in the region.
He also proposed more joint activities, more policy dialogues, more joint exercises and interactions between India and ASEAN at the level of younger generation, as these interactions will lay the groundwork for future collaboration.
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