Kuala Lumpur, Nov 1: Reiterating India’s unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and a rule-based international order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday that India’s Indo-Pacific approach aims to safeguard regional interests rather than target any specific country.
Speaking at the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Rajnath Singh stressed that India’s advocacy for freedom of navigation, overflight, and respect for international law particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is focused on ensuring collective regional welfare.
“India’s emphasis on the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific is not directed against any country but seeks to uphold the shared interests of all stakeholders,” he said.
The Defence Minister underlined that India’s engagement with ASEAN is long-term and principle-driven, rooted in its ‘Act East Policy’ and vision of an open, inclusive, and cooperative Indo-Pacific.
Rajnath Singh lauded Malaysia’s ADMM-Plus theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, noting that inclusivity ensures equal participation for all nations in shaping regional order, while sustainability calls for security frameworks resilient to emerging threats.
He explained that India’s security vision integrates defence cooperation with economic development, technology exchange, and human resource advancement, aligning with ASEAN’s priorities.
“The interlinkages between security, growth, and sustainability define India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific,” he added.
Describing ADMM-Plus as a vital pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific architecture, Singh reaffirmed that New Delhi seeks dialogue over discord and cooperation over confrontation.
“India stands ready to deepen defence cooperation and strengthen regional mechanisms that promote peace, capacity building, and stability,” he stated.
The minister highlighted India’s active role in ADMM-Plus since its inception, co-chairing several expert working groups, including those on counter terrorism with Malaysia (2024–2027), disaster relief with Indonesia, and military medicine with Myanmar.
“Over the years, ADMM-Plus has aligned India’s initiatives with ASEAN’s strategic outlook reinforcing, not competing with, ASEAN mechanisms,” he noted.
Rajnath Singh concluded that India’s engagement will continue to be guided by the principle of “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR)”, ensuring that cooperation remains inclusive, sustainable, and forward looking.