NEW DELHI, Oct 29: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday offered to share India’s operational experience in counter terrorism with ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners, calling for stronger regional cooperation to address evolving security threats.
Addressing the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) conclave in Cebu, the Philippines, Singh said India was prepared to contribute its practical expertise through joint military exercises, capacity building initiatives and intelligence sharing.
He cited Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s response to terrorism, describing the operation, conducted last year, as a clear message against state-sponsored terrorist activities.
Singh said India’s counter terrorism capabilities had developed through decades of confronting cross-border security challenges and were based on operational experience rather than theoretical knowledge alone. He also asserted that India’s strategies had been tested during actual operations.
The minister’s remarks underscored New Delhi’s emphasis on collective action against terrorism and its willingness to deepen defence cooperation with regional partners.
India Calls for Coordinated Action Against Terrorism
Singh stressed that terrorism required a coordinated response from countries facing common security challenges. He proposed expanding cooperation through military training, information exchange and programmes designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of participating nations.
According to the Defence Minister, sharing practical experience could help ADMM-Plus partners improve their preparedness and develop more effective responses to terrorist threats.
His remarks also highlighted India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism and its allegations regarding Pakistan’s support for terrorist activities. Singh presented India’s operational experience as a resource that could contribute to wider regional security efforts.
Operation Sindoor featured prominently in his address. The operation, launched by India last year, targeted terrorist infrastructure, according to the government. Singh said it reflected New Delhi’s stated position that state-sponsored terrorism would be met with a firm response.
The offer to share counter-terrorism expertise comes as countries increasingly seek cooperation in intelligence gathering, military preparedness and the prevention of attacks that can cross national borders.
Maritime Security a Regional Priority
Beyond counter-terrorism, Singh called for stronger cooperation to protect maritime routes and maintain stability across the Indo-Pacific.
He expressed concern over emerging threats to international trade corridors, arguing that statements supporting maritime security needed to be accompanied by practical measures.
The minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to acting as a trusted net security provider in the Indian Ocean region and the wider Indo-Pacific. He said regional stability depended on collective efforts to protect shipping routes and ensure that maritime commerce could continue without disruption.
Singh described maritime security as closely linked to regional peace, economic prosperity and international cooperation. Disruptions to important sea lanes, he indicated, could have consequences extending beyond individual countries to affect wider trade and economic activity.
India’s geographical position and its maritime engagement with regional partners make the security of the Indian Ocean and surrounding waters an important element of its defence policy.
New Delhi Reaffirms Support for UNCLOS
Singh also reiterated India’s support for international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He said India’s advocacy for the rule of law, freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight was intended to safeguard the shared interests of countries across the region rather than target any particular nation.
The remarks come amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping maritime claims and concerns about military activity.
A number of ASEAN members and other countries have called for adherence to international maritime law as disputes in the contested waters continue. China’s expanding military presence and activities in the region have added to concerns about stability and the risk of confrontation.
UNCLOS provides an international legal framework governing the use of the oceans, including maritime zones, navigation rights and the settlement of certain disputes. Its provisions remain central to regional discussions about maritime boundaries and the rights of coastal and other states.
Singh’s comments placed India’s approach within a broader framework of rules-based maritime cooperation, stressing that freedom of navigation and respect for international law serve the interests of the wider international community.
India Backs a Secure and Resilient Indo-Pacific
The Defence Minister outlined India’s vision of an Indo-Pacific region in which security and stability are achieved through cooperation among countries rather than remaining long-term aspirations.
He said regional partners needed to work together to address common challenges, strengthen trust and improve their ability to respond to emerging threats.
India has consistently emphasised partnerships with countries across Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific through defence dialogues, military exercises and maritime engagement. The ADMM-Plus forum provides a platform for ASEAN members and their dialogue partners to discuss shared security concerns and explore practical cooperation.
Singh’s address connected counter-terrorism efforts with maritime security, presenting both as areas where stronger coordination could help countries protect their interests and contribute to regional stability.
The emphasis on intelligence sharing and joint exercises also reflected the importance of building practical capabilities alongside diplomatic engagement.
Defence Cooperation in Focus
The offer to share counter-terrorism expertise could provide opportunities for further cooperation between India and participating countries, particularly in training, operational preparedness and the exchange of security information.
Joint military exercises can help participating forces develop common procedures, improve coordination and build familiarity with one another’s capabilities. Capacity-building programmes can also support countries seeking to strengthen their institutions and respond more effectively to security threats.
At the same time, maritime cooperation remains a significant concern for governments that depend on uninterrupted trade and safe navigation. Protecting sea lanes requires coordination among naval forces, coast guards and other relevant agencies, alongside adherence to international law.
Singh’s remarks in Cebu highlighted India’s intention to contribute to these regional efforts while continuing to advocate a stable and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
By offering its counter-terrorism experience and calling for stronger maritime cooperation, New Delhi has signalled its willingness to work with ASEAN and its dialogue partners on security challenges that extend beyond national borders.