India Offers Counter-Terrorism Expertise to ASEAN Nations
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announces India's readiness to share counter-terrorism strategies with ASEAN members during a meeting in the Philippines.
India is prepared to share its counter-terrorism expertise with ASEAN partners.
Defence Minister Singh highlighted Operation Sindoor as a key example of India's approach to state-sponsored terrorism.
Concerns over maritime security and China's military presence in the South China Sea were also addressed.
During the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced India's readiness to share its extensive counter-terrorism expertise with ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners. Singh emphasized that India’s experience, particularly through initiatives like Operation Sindoor, showcases its commitment to combating state-sponsored terrorism.
Operation Sindoor, launched last year, serves as a pivotal example of India's proactive measures against terrorism. Singh noted that the operation's success in dismantling terrorist infrastructure illustrates India's robust approach to security threats originating from across borders. He asserted that India's counter-terrorism capabilities have been honed over decades of facing such challenges, making the nation well-equipped to assist its partners in the region.
In his address, Singh proposed that joint military exercises, capacity-building programs, and intelligence sharing could significantly enhance collaborative efforts to tackle terrorism. He stated, "India is fully prepared to share its practical and battle-tested counter-terrorism expertise with ADMM-Plus partners," reinforcing the idea of collective security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Singh also raised alarms about threats to maritime trade routes, asserting that mere statements on maritime security are inadequate. He called for decisive actions to ensure the safety of these routes, reiterating India's role as a "trusted net security provider" in the Indian Ocean and broader Indo-Pacific area. His remarks underscored the importance of maritime security for regional stability and prosperity, aligning with India's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
As concerns mount regarding China's expanding military activities in the disputed South China Sea, Singh's comments resonate with the apprehensions of several ASEAN nations. He emphasized that India's advocacy for international maritime law is aimed at safeguarding the collective interests of regional stakeholders rather than targeting any specific country. Looking ahead, India aims to strengthen its partnerships within ASEAN to foster a secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
