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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific on Saturday, emphasising that collective security and cooperation are essential for maintaining peace, sovereignty, and stability in the region.
Speaking at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Singh underlined that India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific is anchored in collaboration rather than confrontation.
“The security of the future will not depend solely on military capabilities, but on the management of shared resources, protection of digital and physical infrastructure, and collective response to humanitarian crises,” he said.
Reiterating India’s support for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Singh said the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight are essential for regional peace and prosperity.
“India’s emphasis on the rule of law and freedom of navigation is not directed against any country. It is aimed at safeguarding the collective interests of all regional stakeholders,” he added.
The minister emphasised that India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN is not transactional but principle-driven and long-term, rooted in mutual respect and a shared belief that the Indo-Pacific must remain open, inclusive, and free from coercion.
His remarks come amid rising regional concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, where several ASEAN nations have been voicing opposition to unilateral actions.
Underscoring ASEAN’s central role in regional peace and security, Singh called for collective efforts to strengthen the ASEAN-led, inclusive security architecture that has long underpinned stability in the Indo-Pacific.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding and strengthening the ASEAN-led regional security architecture, which has served our region so admirably,” he said, adding that the Indo-Pacific must remain a zone of “peace, stability, and shared prosperity.”
Highlighting India’s holistic regional approach, Singh said New Delhi’s Indo-Pacific vision is guided by MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions. He noted that India is prepared to deepen cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cyber defence, and critical infrastructure protection, linking security with sustainability and development.
“The interlinkages of security, growth, and sustainability form the true spirit of the India-ASEAN partnership,” he said.
India became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was held in 2010 in Hanoi, marking the beginning of structured defence cooperation between ASEAN and its key dialogue partners.
Team BharatShakti
