India Offers Counter-Terrorism Expertise at ADMM-Plus Meeting

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Key takeaways

India offered its specialized counter-terrorism knowledge to regional partners at the 13th ADMM-Plus meeting in Cebu, Philippines.
The year 2026 will mark the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, featuring a joint naval exercise and ocean safety efforts.
The Indian Navy has maintained an active counter-piracy presence in the Gulf of Aden continuously since 2008.
India and Malaysia are currently co-chairing the ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 term.

India's Defence Minister spoke at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines.
During this meeting, India offered to share its deep counter-terrorism knowledge with ASEAN members and partner countries.

India suggested building stronger regional defenses using joint military exercises, training programs, and shared intelligence.
The Defence Minister pointed to Operation Sindoor to show how India handles state-sponsored and cross-border terrorism.
India called for a safe and stable Indo-Pacific region where all countries follow international laws.
The Minister highlighted that 2026 will be celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation alongside the second joint maritime exercise.
India strongly supported open sea routes, freedom of flight, and strict follow-through on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Defence Minister reminded members that the Indian Navy has actively protected merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden since 2008.
India proposed a new Youth Bridge program to bring young people together, encourage digital ideas, and build useful skills.

The ADMM-Plus is an official group that links 10 ASEAN countries with 8 major partner nations to boost defense cooperation.
Its official dialogue partners are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.
The group held its first official meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2010 and began meeting every year from 2017.
It focuses on 7 main areas including maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster relief, peacekeeping, military medicine, mine action, and cybersecurity.
India and Malaysia currently co-chair the special working group on counter-terrorism for the 2024 to 2027 term.