India ASEAN defence cooperation is essential for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, calling for stronger maritime security, defence technology partnerships and joint industrial development.
Addressing the inaugural session of the ASEAN–India Defence Think Tank Forum in New Delhi, Singh said India was ready to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a trusted and equal partner.
He called for greater maritime information sharing, closer coordination between navies and coast guards, and cooperation to monitor underwater activities. These efforts, he said, would strengthen regional security and improve responses to emerging threats.
Maritime security and disaster response in focus
Singh said India and ASEAN share an interest in a peaceful, stable, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted India’s Act East policy and the SAGAR and MAHASAGAR visions as frameworks for strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.
He also stressed the importance of ASEAN-led platforms, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), in advancing regional dialogue.
“Channels of dialogue must always remain open. Differences should be discussed in a timely and peaceful manner to prevent them from escalating into disputes,” Singh said.
He added that countries should not be pressured to choose sides and that regional forums should complement, rather than compete with, one another.
The designation of 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation offers an opportunity to turn shared objectives into practical initiatives, the minister said.
He called for joint efforts, in accordance with international law, to tackle piracy, smuggling, illegal fishing and other maritime threats. He also urged both sides to make humanitarian assistance and disaster relief a regular part of defence dialogue.
Singh said India and ASEAN should share best practices and improve coordination before crises occur to enable more effective responses during emergencies.
India, ASEAN to explore defence technology partnerships
The Defence Minister called for greater collaboration in defence research and technology, including joint research projects, shared testing facilities, exchanges involving young researchers and innovation initiatives.
He said such partnerships must protect sensitive information, respect intellectual property rights and ensure responsible technology transfers.
“The objective should be to strengthen trust among partner nations while developing useful defence capabilities,” Singh said.
He also emphasised that defence cooperation should extend beyond buying and selling military equipment. Joint development, production, maintenance, repair, technical upgrades, training and long-term technical support should form part of the partnership.
According to Singh, these activities could build local skills, strengthen defence industries and make supply chains more reliable.
Defence manufacturing and self-reliance
Singh said India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aims to strengthen domestic capabilities while leaving room for cooperation with international partners.
India is ready to explore opportunities with ASEAN countries across several defence sectors, including patrol vessels, radars, air defence systems, helicopters and drones.
Joint production and technical collaboration could support industrial development while expanding the capabilities available to partner countries, he said.
The approach also aligns with India’s emphasis on developing domestic defence manufacturing and reducing vulnerabilities in supply chains.
India calls for an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific
Singh said India envisioned an Indo-Pacific in which countries of all sizes could make independent decisions, safeguard their interests and pursue development peacefully.
He argued that regional security would be strengthened through cooperation, respect for international law and trust built through dialogue.
The forum’s discussions on maritime security, defence technology and industrial partnerships come as India and ASEAN seek to deepen their strategic engagement. Singh said closer coordination across these areas would help both sides advance their shared interest in regional peace and stability.
