Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, India.
India’s focus on the rule of law and the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region remains a core element of its strategic posture—an approach that aims not against any country but to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders, according to the Defence Minister at the 12th ADMM-Plus held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Addressing the forum on November 1, 2025, the Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to long-term, principle-driven engagement with ASEAN and the wider Indo-Pacific region, underlining the importance of dialogue, partnership, and practical cooperation in shaping regional stability and security.
The Defence Minister highlighted that India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN is built on a shared belief that the Indo-Pacific should organisation be open, inclusive, and free from coercion, underpinning the broader vision of a stable, resilient, and thriving regional architecture. India’s emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) reflects its stance on upholding international law as a foundation for lawful and fair conduct in maritime spaces that are vital to global trade, security, and sustainability.
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During his keynote address, the Minister emphasised that India’s approach is not transactional but rooted in a sustained and principle-based partnership model that considers the interconnectedness of security, economic growth, and technological advancement. He stressed that India’s security vision integrates defence cooperation with efforts in economic development, technology sharing, and human resource empowerment, recognising that these components are mutually reinforcing pillars of regional stability.
The Minister drew attention to the significance of Malaysia’s current emphasis on “Inclusivity and Sustainability” as a timely and relevant approach for the region’s future stability. He explained that inclusivity in security involves ensuring that nations of all sizes and capabilities have a voice in shaping regional orders and policy frameworks. Sustainability, he said, entails designing security architectures that are resilient to shocks, adaptable to emerging threats, and anchored in long-term, cooperative relationships rather than transient alliances.
Describing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – India partnership as a vital element of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and broad Indo-Pacific strategy, the Defence Minister underscored that defence cooperation with ASEAN and its Plus partners—Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States—is a contribution to regional peace, stability, and capacity building. “As the ADMM-Plus enters its 16th year, India remains committed to deepening cooperation on shared security challenges, promoting dialogue over discord, and strengthening regional mechanisms to uphold peace,” he stated.
India’s engagement with ASEAN predates the ADMM-Plus but the latter has provided a structured platform that enhances our diplomatic and security outreach. The Minister noted that the elevation of the ASEAN-India partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 marked an important milestone, reflecting the maturity and alignment of regional priorities that underpin the bilateral and multilateral relationship.
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Throughout his speech, the Minister highlighted India’s active participation and leadership roles, including co-chairing several Expert Working Groups—on Humanitarian Mine Action with Vietnam, Military Medicine with Myanmar, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief with Indonesia, and Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia. These engagements, he explained, have helped create operational standards, share best practices, and reinforce regional cooperation.
He concluded by reaffirming that India’s regional strategy is aligned with ASEAN’s strategic outlook, ensuring its initiatives complement rather than compete with ASEAN mechanisms. The overarching goal remains to foster Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions (MAHASAGAR), reinforcing India’s unwavering commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
