In this screengrab from a video received on October 29, 2026, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the 13th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
| Photo Credit: PTI
India is committed to collective regional security and the eradication of terrorism in all its forms and is ready to share its battle-tested counter-terrorism expertise with ASEAN partners to strengthen joint capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday (October 29, 2026).
Addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, Mr. Singh said India’s counter-terrorism experience was not theoretical knowledge but had been acquired through decades of confronting complex security challenges, including cross-border terrorism.
He said India’s strategies had been tested and refined through real-world operations, with Operation Sindoor demonstrating the country’s proactive counter-terrorism doctrine.
During the operation, India dismantled terrorist infrastructure and enforced a firm red line against state-sponsored terrorism, he said.
Emphasising that terrorism knows no borders, Mr. Singh said India was prepared to share its operational experience with ADMM-Plus partners through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes and intelligence sharing.
Counter-terrorism remains an important area of cooperation under the ADMM-Plus framework, with India and Malaysia co-chairing the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 cycle.
In a significant proposal to deepen regional engagement, Mr. Singh called for the establishment of a dedicated defence ‘Youth Bridge’ to strengthen institutional people-to-people connectivity between India and ASEAN countries. The ASEAN members appreciated the move of establishing ‘Youth Bridge’.
The initiative would promote digital innovation and capacity building, while providing greater opportunities for young people to contribute to regional peace and security. The proposal was appreciated by ASEAN members.
Highlighting the importance of maritime security, Mr. Singh said India had designated 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation and had conducted the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. He reiterated India’s commitment to freedom of navigation, international maritime law and the security of global sea lanes.
Pointing to the Indian Navy’s uninterrupted operational presence in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, he said India had escorted thousands of merchant vessels and thwarted dozens of hijacking attempts, irrespective of the vessels’ flag or nationality.
He reaffirmed India’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific, adding that New Delhi would continue to serve as a reliable net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Published – October 29, 2026 07:24 pm IST
