Rajnath Singh at ADMM-Plus: Maritime Security and Youth Bridge
New Delhi, October 29: Speaking at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined India's vision for regional security. He focused on cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime safety and youth engagement.
Singh said India places its faith in an international order grounded in mutual trust, cooperation and shared responsibility. He argued that this collaborative spirit would enable nations to address the growing challenges to peace and order across the region.
He stated that India has long recognised the importance of Asia's central role in global affairs. Singh said India has envisioned an Indo-Pacific that is open, inclusive and based on a rules-based international system. He described India's long-term strategic relationship with ASEAN as built on shared interests, mutual respect and practical cooperation.
On terrorism, Singh pointed to Operation Sindoor, conducted last year, as a clear demonstration of India's approach. He said the operation destroyed a large number of terror infrastructure sites and reinforced India's clear opposition to state-sponsored terrorism.
The minister said India's experience in fighting terrorism is rooted in decades of facing cross-border threats on the ground, not just in theory. He added that India's counter-terrorism strategies have been validated through real operations and have delivered results.
Singh said India is fully prepared to share this practical experience with its ADMM-Plus partners. He suggested that joint military exercises, capacity-building initiatives and enhanced intelligence sharing could help collective security efforts. He also called for an Indo-Pacific that is secure, strong and supported by concrete collective action.
Turning to maritime security, Singh said India regards international maritime law as valid and firmly adheres to it. He said India's commitment to freedom of navigation and the protection of global sea communications is based on sustained experience.
He noted that since 2008, the Indian Navy has maintained a consistent presence in the Gulf of Aden, a region with high instability. Singh said India has avoided any use of force that could undermine the interests of other nations. He added that the Navy's frontline warship deployments have protected thousands of merchant vessels and prevented several attempts to hijack ships.
Singh warned that global trade routes are facing new challenges and that statements alone are insufficient to ensure maritime safety. India, he said, will remain a dependable net security provider in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
He emphasised that India's stress on the rule of law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is not directed against any country. It is intended to protect the collective interests of regional stakeholders who depend on open sea routes and stable maritime governance.
Singh said India is ready to cooperate with ASEAN partners in areas such as maritime security, search and rescue, humanitarian aid, commercial links, capacity building and respect for international law.
He also proposed a strong ‘Youth Bridge’ framework to link young people across India and ASEAN. The initiative would focus on people-to-people connectivity, digital innovation and capacity building. Singh said the proposal aligns with the meeting's joint statement on youth, peace and security.
He concluded that India and ASEAN countries have relatively young populations, which gives them a distinct advantage and connects their future prospects.