Politics · India Bureau
India offers counter-terrorism expertise to ASEAN nations
India's Defence Minister has signalled New Delhi's willingness to leverage its counter-terrorism experience in collaborative efforts with ASEAN member states. The offer encompasses joint military exercises and enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms among regional partners.
LSN India ·
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has indicated India's readiness to share its counter-terrorism capabilities with ASEAN nations, positioning New Delhi as a knowledge partner in regional security matters. Singh emphasised that India's experience in combating terrorism could benefit collaborative security arrangements across Southeast Asia.
The Defence Minister outlined a framework for cooperation that would include joint military exercises and coordinated intelligence-sharing initiatives among India and ASEAN partners. Such arrangements would enable participating nations to develop coordinated responses to transnational security threats affecting the region.
India's offer reflects its strategic interest in deepening defence ties with Southeast Asian nations, a priority that has gained prominence as regional security challenges have evolved. The initiative underscores New Delhi's commitment to contributing to stability and collective security arrangements in the Indo-Pacific region.
The proposal comes at a time of increasing focus on counter-terrorism cooperation within Asia, with multiple nations grappling with similar security challenges. By formalising knowledge-sharing mechanisms, India and ASEAN nations aim to enhance their collective capacity to address evolving security threats.
Photo: Vietnam's General Secretary and President To Lam (right) with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, May 2026. Ministry of Defence (India) via Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India).