New Delhi, October 14: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for stronger defence and security cooperation between India and ASEAN countries, emphasising mutual respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law and peaceful dialogue to maintain stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi, Singh said India envisions an Indo-Pacific where all countries, irrespective of their size, can make independent choices, safeguard their interests and pursue development in peace.
He stressed that growing strategic competition and emerging cross-border challenges require collective efforts, as no single country can address these issues independently.
India, ASEAN Share Vision for an Open Indo-Pacific
Singh highlighted the common interests of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in promoting regional peace, stability, prosperity and an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.
He said India’s Act East Policy, along with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) visions, reflects its commitment to regional cooperation.
The Defence Minister noted that India and Southeast Asian countries share longstanding historical, cultural and commercial connections. He described the Act East Policy as a sustained commitment to engaging with the region as an equal partner.
He also called for resolving differences through early and peaceful dialogue, adding that regional cooperation should strengthen existing forums rather than create competition among them.
Maritime Security a Key Priority
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian waters, Singh said maritime security is a shared responsibility because these interconnected waterways are essential for international trade, energy supplies and the movement of people and goods.
He identified maritime domain awareness, cooperation between navies and coast guards, interoperability and underwater awareness as important areas for strengthening regional security.
With 2026 designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, he urged participating countries to translate their shared commitments into practical initiatives, including improved maritime information sharing and coordinated responses to emergencies.
He also called for joint efforts against piracy, trafficking and illegal fishing, in accordance with international law.
Focus on Defence Technology and Innovation
Singh underlined the growing significance of artificial intelligence, drones, cybersecurity and space-based technologies in modern defence preparedness.
Referring to changing technological requirements, he called for affordable, adaptable and effective solutions to emerging security challenges.
He highlighted India’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Technology Development Fund (TDF) initiatives, which encourage innovation to meet defence requirements.
The minister proposed greater collaboration among start-ups, universities, research institutions and smaller companies from India and ASEAN countries. Potential areas of cooperation include counter-drone systems, cyber defence, maritime surveillance and disaster response.
He also advocated joint research, shared testing facilities, exchanges among young researchers and collaborative innovation projects, while emphasising the protection of sensitive information and intellectual property.
India Offers Opportunities for Defence Industry Partnerships
On defence manufacturing, Singh said India is ready to explore cooperation with ASEAN partners in areas such as patrol vessels, radar systems, air-defence equipment, helicopters and drones, depending on individual countries’ requirements.
He clarified that the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative does not mean working in isolation. Instead, self-reliance can create opportunities for trusted partners to jointly design, manufacture, maintain and upgrade defence equipment.
The minister highlighted co-development, co-production, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training and long-term technical support as important components of sustainable partnerships.
According to him, such arrangements can strengthen local capabilities, create opportunities for domestic industries and improve supply-chain reliability.
Singh emphasised that India and ASEAN should pursue lasting partnerships based on shared responsibilities, appropriate technology safeguards and reliable after-sales support rather than limiting cooperation to individual transactions.
Disaster Response and Think Tank Collaboration
The Defence Minister also called for making Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) a regular part of defence dialogue, particularly as cyclones, floods, rising sea levels and extreme weather events threaten lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
He urged countries to improve preparedness through information sharing, coordinated planning and the exchange of best practices before emergencies occur.
Highlighting the role of think tanks, Singh proposed a joint India-ASEAN research agenda covering maritime security, cyber threats, emerging technologies, disaster response and defence-industry cooperation.
Other suggestions included research fellowships, joint publications, pilot projects on maritime disaster response and counter-drone technologies, and continued dialogue among researchers, policymakers and practitioners.
MP-IDSA Director General Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy welcomed participants from India and all 11 ASEAN member states, describing the forum as an important milestone in institutionalising strategic dialogue and strengthening defence engagement.
The two-day forum, being held on October 14 and 15, 2026, aims to identify practical opportunities for deeper cooperation across maritime security, emerging technologies, defence manufacturing and resilient supply chains. The initiative follows Singh’s announcement at the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on October 31, 2025.
The discussions are expected to contribute to a more coordinated and forward-looking India-ASEAN defence partnership.