Rajnath Singh Reaffirms India’s Commitment to Peace

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to peace, stability, and a rules-based international order during his address at the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Emphasizing that India’s Indo-Pacific security vision is inclusive and non-confrontational, he said the country’s advocacy for freedom of navigation and adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are meant to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders rather than target any specific nation.

India Indo-Pacific Security Vision Based on Rule of Law

Rajnath Singh highlighted that India’s emphasis on international law and free navigation aligns with its broader commitment to regional stability. “India’s emphasis on the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its advocacy for freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific, are not directed against any country but are meant to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders,” he said.

He underlined that India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN is long-term and principle-driven, not transactional. The Defence Minister stated that India envisions an Indo-Pacific that remains open, inclusive, and free from coercion.

Inclusivity and Sustainability at the Core of Security Cooperation

Lauding Malaysia’s ADMM-Plus chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Rajnath Singh said inclusivity means ensuring that every nation, irrespective of size or capacity, plays a role in shaping the regional order. Sustainability, he explained, involves creating resilient and adaptable security structures based on long-term cooperation instead of short-term alignments.

“For India, these principles align deeply with its own Indo-Pacific security vision that integrates defence cooperation with economic growth, technology exchange, and human resource development,” he said, stressing that security, prosperity, and sustainability are interlinked.

ADMM-Plus: A Pillar of India’s Act East Policy

Describing ADMM-Plus as a vital part of India’s Act East Policy and its broader Indo-Pacific outlook, Rajnath Singh said defence partnerships with ASEAN and the “Plus” countries contribute to peace, stability, and capacity building across the region.

“As the ADMM-Plus enters its 16th year, India is ready to deepen cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, promote dialogue over discord, and strengthen regional mechanisms that ensure peace and stability,” he noted.

The Defence Minister emphasized that the lessons of the past fifteen years are clear — inclusive cooperation works, regional ownership builds legitimacy, and collective security enhances individual sovereignty. These guiding principles, he said, will continue to shape India’s future engagements in the Indo-Pacific.

India’s Active Role in ADMM-Plus Working Groups

Rajnath Singh pointed out that India has been an active participant in ADMM-Plus since its inception. Over the years, India has co-chaired several expert working groups — on humanitarian mine action with Vietnam (2014–2017), on military medicine with Myanmar (2017–2020), on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief with Indonesia (2020–2024), and currently on counter-terrorism with Malaysia (2024–2027).

He added that India has hosted and participated in numerous field exercises and contributed to building shared operational standards that strengthen regional cooperation. “The ADMM-Plus has helped align India’s initiatives with ASEAN’s strategic outlook, ensuring that India’s efforts complement rather than compete with ASEAN-led mechanisms,” he said.

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