India offers counter-terror expertise to ASEAN nations

India stands ready to share its battle-tested counter-terrorism expertise with ASEAN and its dialogue partners. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made this announcement on Thursday in Cebu, Philippines, during the ADMM-Plus meeting. He pointed to Operation Sindoor as a clear example of India's direct approach against state-sponsored terror. The minister also highlighted concerns over recent disruptions in certain maritime trade routes.

Cooperation

Mr. Singh proposed joint military exercises, capacity-building programmes, and robust intelligence sharing to strengthen collective security capabilities. He noted that India's counter-terrorism experience comes from decades of confronting cross-border challenges rather than just classroom knowledge. The minister stressed that global trade routes face new international threats, meaning statements alone on maritime security are not enough.

Maritime Security

India will continue to act as a trusted net security provider in the Indian Ocean region and the wider Indo-Pacific. Mr. Singh emphasised support for an Indo-Pacific that remains secure and resilient. He underscored India's backing for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to protect the collective interests of all regional stakeholders.

Context

ADMM-Plus brings together ten ASEAN member nations and eight dialogue partner countries to strengthen security and defence cooperation in the region. The grouping regularly addresses pressing regional challenges including maritime safety, humanitarian assistance, and counter-terrorism measures.