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New Delhi: In a major step for regional diplomacy, India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, is set to attend an important two-day meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. Starting on November 16, this meeting is part of the 10th session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). This gathering is a crucial platform for discussing important security issues affecting the region and the world.
Hosted by Indonesia, the current chair of ADMM-Plus, this event will see the gathering of defense ministers from ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. They will be joined by their eight dialogue partners, namely India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. India has been a dialogue partner since 1992 and actively participates in the cooperative mechanisms of the ADMM-Plus.
At the summit, Defence Minister Singh is scheduled to give a keynote speech, offering insights into India's stance on key security issues. The meeting will also include one-on-one discussions between Singh and his counterparts from other countries. These talks are aimed at building stronger defense relations and strategic partnerships. The ADMM-Plus is known as the highest defense consultation and cooperation forum in ASEAN. It focuses on practical cooperation across various areas such as maritime security, military medicine, cyber security, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, mine action, and disaster relief.
Currently, India is co-chairing the Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) alongside Indonesia, a role it will hold until 2024. The meeting will also see the announcement of the next set of co-chairs for the period from 2024 to 2027. This is a sign of the ongoing commitment of the member countries to work together on security challenges. The participation of India in the ADMM-Plus is significant for promoting regional stability and cooperation. The outcomes of this meeting are expected to strengthen relationships between ASEAN countries and their dialogue partners, united in their effort to tackle evolving security threats in the region.
