- Defence Ministers of Vietnam and Malaysia Hold Strategic Talks with India in Kuala Lumpur
- ASEAN Nations Laud India’s Leadership and Role as a Responsible Superpower in the Indo-Pacific
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 1
In a major boost to India’s strategic outreach in the Indo-Pacific, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh concluded a series of high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
During his visit, Singh signed a landmark 10-year ‘Framework for the US–India Major Defence Partnership’ with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, signalling a new decade of deepened cooperation between the two democracies. The pact will provide long-term policy direction across the full spectrum of defence engagement — from co-production and technology sharing to joint exercises and strategic logistics.
“This framework heralds a new era in our already strong defence partnership and reflects our growing strategic convergence,” Singh said after the signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier, the Defence Minister held separate bilateral meetings with Vietnam’s Defence Minister, Gen. Phan Van Giang, and Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, to review ongoing cooperation and explore avenues to further strengthen defence and security partnerships.
The discussions focused on maritime security, defence industry collaboration, cyber defence, and capacity-building initiatives, aligned with India’s Act East Policy and the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026–2030).
At the Second India–ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, chaired by Malaysia, ASEAN leaders commended India’s steady rise as a responsible superpower and a key stabilising force in the Indo-Pacific.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister lauded India’s self-reliant defence industry and innovation ecosystem, calling it a model for regional collaboration. The Philippines and Cambodia praised India’s commitment to international law, maritime norms, and UN peacekeeping, while Singapore and Thailand urged deeper engagement through joint exercises, policy dialogues, and youth-level defence interactions.
Rajnath Singh, in his address, announced two new initiatives:
- ASEAN–India Initiative on Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations, and
- ASEAN–India Defence Think-Tank Interaction, aimed at fostering intellectual exchange and strategic foresight among regional partners.
The ASEAN Defence Ministers welcomed India’s proactive initiatives and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with New Delhi, particularly in defence, technology, and maritime cooperation.
With the Kuala Lumpur meetings, India has reaffirmed its position as a security provider, trusted partner, and emerging defence powerhouse shaping the future of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
