Defence Minister Rajnath Singh departed for New Delhi after completing his engagements at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Philippines, where India reiterated its commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with ASEAN nations and promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.

Before leaving the Philippines, Singh met members of the Indian diaspora during visits to a Gurudwara and a Hindu temple in Cebu. He offered prayers and interacted with the community following the conclusion of the high-level regional defence dialogue.

A key outcome of his participation at the ADMM-Plus meeting was India's proposal to establish an India-ASEAN Youth Bridge, an initiative aimed at deepening people-to-people ties, encouraging digital innovation and supporting capacity-building among the younger generations of India and Southeast Asia.

Addressing defence ministers and officials from across the region, Singh stressed that both India and ASEAN countries possess a significant demographic advantage through their relatively young populations.

“India believes that our greatest strength lies in our young population—in their energy, dynamism, and aspirations. Both India and the ASEAN nations possess a relatively young demographic. This commonality provides us with a distinct advantage and interlinks our futures. To translate this potential into reality, India proposes the establishment of a robust 'India-ASEAN Youth Bridge'.”

He noted that countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Timor-Leste and the Philippines are benefiting from youthful demographics at a time when several developed economies are dealing with ageing populations. The Philippines, host of this year's ADMM-Plus dialogue, is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's youngest nations demographically.

Emphasising the importance of regional cooperation, Singh urged ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to work collectively to preserve peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

“Our vision to empower the next generation is also reflected in the joint statement of this meeting. By empowering our youth, we are laying the foundation for a bright future for this region. Excellencies, let us work together to further strengthen this vital platform, to promote peace, stability, resilience, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.”

The Defence Minister also used the forum to reiterate India's strong position against terrorism and state-sponsored terror activities. Referring to Operation Sindoor as an example of India's approach towards dismantling terrorist infrastructure, he underscored New Delhi's determination to confront security threats at their source.

“India reiterates its commitment to enhancing security in the region and eradicating terrorism at its roots.”

Highlighting India's long experience in combating terrorism, Singh said, “India’s experience in the field of counter-terrorism is not limited to classroom learning or theoretical knowledge. Rather, it has been gained through decades of confronting cross-border security challenges on the ground. Every strategy we employ against terrorism has been tested and proven effective in real-world operations.”

Beyond the multilateral discussions, Singh conducted a series of bilateral meetings aimed at enhancing strategic and defence cooperation. He held talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.

He also met Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto C Teodoro Jr., South Korean Defence Minister Kang Shin-chul and Singaporean Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, with discussions focused on strengthening regional security partnerships and expanding defence collaboration.

During the wider ADMM-Plus deliberations, India also highlighted its support for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, maritime security, freedom of navigation and practical security cooperation among regional partners. The Youth Bridge proposal adds a new people-centric dimension to India's Act East policy and its expanding engagement with Southeast Asia.

The ADMM remains ASEAN's highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism, while the ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN's member states and eight dialogue partners: India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

India became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 12 October 2010. Since 2017, defence ministers have met annually under the framework to advance practical defence cooperation and address emerging regional security challenges.

The Philippines serves as ADMM-Plus Chair for 2026. India is currently co-chairing the Experts' Working Group on Counter-Terrorism alongside Malaysia for the 2024-2027 cycle, reflecting New Delhi's growing role in regional security cooperation.

India's active involvement in ADMM-Plus continues to underscore the country's expanding defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia under the Act East policy, with a focus on collective security, regional stability and sustained economic growth across the Indo-Pacific.

ANI