Rajnath Singh calls for stronger India-ASEAN defence cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India and ASEAN share a common interest in ensuring a peaceful, stable and open Indo-Pacific region, calling for stronger defence cooperation and joint efforts to address emerging regional security challenges.
Addressing the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum in New Delhi, Singh said India was ready to work with ASEAN as a reliable and equal partner. He described ASEAN as central to India’s Indo-Pacific vision and said the country’s Act East Policy reflected its long-term commitment to strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations.Singh said the Indian Ocean and the waters of Southeast Asia formed a connected maritime space, making their security a shared responsibility.

Delhi: At the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "India and ASEAN share a clear interest in peace, stability, prosperity and an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific, and for India, ASEAN is central to our Indo-Pacific vision. India’s Act East Policy, SAGAR and MAHASAGAR visions advocate open, multipolar cooperation, and we align these approaches through ASEAN-led mechanisms. Our Act East Policy is a long-term commitment to working with Southeast Asia as an equal partner..."

— IANS (@ians_india) October 14, 2026

Noting that 2026 had been designated the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, he called for enhanced maritime domain awareness, better information sharing and stronger collective capabilities to tackle emergencies, piracy and illegal fishing.The Defence Minister proposed a joint India-ASEAN research agenda focusing on maritime security, disaster response, cyber threats and emerging technologies. He also suggested pilot initiatives, including tabletop exercises on maritime disaster response and joint studies on counter-drone solutions.Singh emphasised the importance of Track 1.5 and Track 2 dialogues to sustain discussions among policymakers, experts and other stakeholders and develop practical solutions to shared challenges.
On defence technology, he invited ASEAN countries to collaborate with India in areas such as artificial intelligence, drones and space-based systems. He said India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative offered opportunities for trusted partners to jointly develop, produce and maintain defence equipment, including patrol vessels, radars and air defence systems.The minister stressed that regional security challenges required collective action, sustained dialogue and practical cooperation among partner countries.
Highlighting historical links between India and Southeast Asia, Singh referred to ancient Indian kingdoms, including the Cholas and Pallavas, which maintained trade and maritime connections with the region. He said these historical ties provided a foundation for strengthening contemporary cooperation.Singh also underscored the role of think tanks in helping governments understand mutual concerns, identify emerging risks and develop actionable recommendations before tensions escalate into crises.He said closer collaboration between Indian and ASEAN research institutions could help translate shared priorities into practical initiatives and strengthen regional peace and stability.