NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday proposed the creation of a dedicated institutional forum between India and Asean defence think tanks to strengthen strategic cooperation and address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaking at the Asean-India defence ministers’ informal meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Singh said the initiative would “promote dialogue, policy research collaboration, and capacity-building between defence experts and academics from both regions.”
“Today, we are sharing a concept note for this proposed forum. I request our Asean partner countries to nominate leading defence think tanks, experts, and academics from their countries to participate in this dialogue. I am confident that this dialogue will further strengthen regional cooperation and bring innovation to policy-making and practical execution,” he said, according to news agency ANI.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to Asean’s central role in regional peace and stability, Singh said, “In today’s uncertain world, where many old beliefs and expectations are changing, I believe that the Asean-India relationship will remain a strong pillar of stability.”
He also noted that both Asean and India have shown rapid economic growth and called for the early completion of the review of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement to boost mutual prosperity.
Highlighting the maritime dimension of regional security, Singh said, “Maritime security is a central focus of India-Asean engagement. I commend Asean member states for agreeing to the second edition of the Asean-India Maritime Exercise.”
Emphasising the importance of secure sea lanes, he noted that more than half of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait. “India supports a rules-based maritime order based on the principles of UNCLOS and emphasises peaceful resolution of disputes,” he added.
The defence minister also proposed advancing women’s roles in global peacekeeping efforts through the second edition of the Asean-India Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
“This time too, it will be conducted in two phases – the first phase will consist of tailor-made courses for women military officers, and the second phase will be a table-top exercise focusing on the protection of civilians and the role of women peacekeepers,” Singh said.
Concluding his remarks, he invited Asean nations to participate in upcoming naval engagements. “I look forward to the participation of all Asean Member States in the Asean-India Maritime Exercise and International Fleet Review 2026, to be held in India,” he said, thanking Malaysia for hosting the meeting.
Earlier, Singh also met US secretary of war Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the event, where the two signed a 10-year “Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership.”
Singh described the meeting as “fruitful,” adding that the framework “will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.”
Speaking at the Asean-India defence ministers’ informal meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Singh said the initiative would “promote dialogue, policy research collaboration, and capacity-building between defence experts and academics from both regions.”
“Today, we are sharing a concept note for this proposed forum. I request our Asean partner countries to nominate leading defence think tanks, experts, and academics from their countries to participate in this dialogue. I am confident that this dialogue will further strengthen regional cooperation and bring innovation to policy-making and practical execution,” he said, according to news agency ANI.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to Asean’s central role in regional peace and stability, Singh said, “In today’s uncertain world, where many old beliefs and expectations are changing, I believe that the Asean-India relationship will remain a strong pillar of stability.”
He also noted that both Asean and India have shown rapid economic growth and called for the early completion of the review of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement to boost mutual prosperity.
Highlighting the maritime dimension of regional security, Singh said, “Maritime security is a central focus of India-Asean engagement. I commend Asean member states for agreeing to the second edition of the Asean-India Maritime Exercise.”
Emphasising the importance of secure sea lanes, he noted that more than half of India’s trade passes through the South China Sea and the Malacca Strait. “India supports a rules-based maritime order based on the principles of UNCLOS and emphasises peaceful resolution of disputes,” he added.
The defence minister also proposed advancing women’s roles in global peacekeeping efforts through the second edition of the Asean-India Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
“This time too, it will be conducted in two phases – the first phase will consist of tailor-made courses for women military officers, and the second phase will be a table-top exercise focusing on the protection of civilians and the role of women peacekeepers,” Singh said.
Concluding his remarks, he invited Asean nations to participate in upcoming naval engagements. “I look forward to the participation of all Asean Member States in the Asean-India Maritime Exercise and International Fleet Review 2026, to be held in India,” he said, thanking Malaysia for hosting the meeting.
Earlier, Singh also met US secretary of war Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the event, where the two signed a 10-year “Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership.”
Singh described the meeting as “fruitful,” adding that the framework “will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership.”
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