Rajnath calls for deeper India-ASEAN defence ties, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh advocated for deeper defence and technological cooperation between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• The call was made at the maiden ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum in New Delhi.
• Key areas of cooperation proposed include joint research, co-production of military equipment, and enhanced maritime security.
• India's vision for the Indo-Pacific emphasizes independent choices, protection of interests, and peaceful development for all nations.
• The year 2026 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.

Detailed Insights:

• The forum was hosted at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, highlighting India's commitment to strategic dialogue.
• India's approach to the Indo-Pacific is guided by principles of mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and open dialogue.
• The Defence Minister underscored that India's Act East policy, SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) visions align with ASEAN-led mechanisms.
• Cooperation in maritime domain awareness, interoperability, and underwater surveillance is deemed crucial for a stable, rules-based maritime order.
• The upcoming ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation in 2026 aims to translate shared maritime interests into tangible outcomes.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): A regional intergovernmental organization promoting economic, political, and security cooperation among ten Southeast Asian countries.
• Act East Policy: India's diplomatic initiative launched in 2014 to strengthen economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the Asia-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core.
• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India's maritime doctrine articulated in 2015, focusing on collective security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region.
• MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions): An evolution of SAGAR, unveiled in 2025, broadening India's maritime vision to the wider Indo-Pacific and Global South, integrating security, economic cooperation, and sustainability.
• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical concept referring to the interconnected maritime expanse of the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, recognizing their inseparable economic, security, and strategic futures.