India to share counter‑terrorism expertise with ASEAN, proposes Defence “Youth Bridge”
Summary
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced at the 13th ADMM‑Plus in Cebu that India will extend its battle‑tested counter‑terrorism experience to ASEAN members.
- Cooperation will involve joint exercises, capacity‑building programmes and intelligence sharing.
- Singh proposed a dedicated Defence “Youth Bridge” to foster engagement of young defence personnel from ASEAN countries with India.
- The initiative aims to strengthen regional security and enhance interoperability against trans‑national terrorism.
Key Facts
- · Event: 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting‑Plus (ADMM‑Plus) in Cebu, Philippines.
- · Announcement made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- · Focus: sharing India's operational counter‑terrorism expertise.
- · Mechanisms: joint exercises, capacity‑building programmes, intelligence sharing.
- · New concept: Defence “Youth Bridge” for young officers.
- · Target partners: all ASEAN member states.
- · Goal: deepen strategic defence cooperation and regional stability.
- · India's experience drawn from anti‑Maoist, Kashmir insurgency and anti‑terror operations.
Why it matters
The proposal signals a deepening of India‑ASEAN security ties, enhancing regional counter‑terrorism capabilities and showcasing India's role as a security provider in the Indo‑Pacific, a key theme in Indian foreign and defence policy.
#India#ASEAN#counter‑terrorism#defence cooperation#ADMM‑Plus#Rajnath Singh