The article begins:
With the recent participation of India’s Defence Minister in the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus in Siem Reap, Cambodia, numerous noteworthy points were addressed. This meeting carried a significant weight considering its implications for India as well as for other nations on the world stage.
India’s Stand on Terrorism and Other Security Concerns
In the address at the 9th ADMM Plus, India expressed its strong stance against transnational and cross-border terrorism and highlighted the urgent need for worldwide efforts to combat it. It was emphasized that this form of terrorism poses the most severe threat to regional and global security.
In addition to terrorism, India brought forth other security concerns that emerged from the global Covid-19 pandemic, with energy and food security at the forefront. The country voiced that these issues require equal attention and resolution.
India’s Advocacy for Maritime Security
India further advocated for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing peaceful dispute resolutions while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. The ongoing ASEAN-China negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea were also addressed. India stated that these negotiations should align with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and should not affect the rights and interests of nations not involved in these discussions.
About ADMM Plus and ASEAN
The second ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in 2007 in Singapore adopted a resolution to establish the ADMM-Plus. The inaugural ADMM-Plus took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2010.
The ADMM Plus is an annual assembly of Defence Ministers from 10 ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partner nations. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states. For 2021, Brunei chairs the ADMM Plus forum.
Membership and Aim of ADMM Plus
The ADMM-Plus comprises ten ASEAN Member States (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia) and eight “Plus” countries – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and the United States.
The goal of ADMM Plus is to foster mutual trust and confidence between defence establishments via increased dialogue and transparency.
Areas of Cooperation for ADMM Plus
ADMM Plus emphasizes cooperation in several areas, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations, and military medicine.
India’s Participation in Various International Bodies
In terms of membership, India is not a part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) or Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but it is a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS). Such involvement offers a platform for strategic dialogue and cooperation on key political, security, and economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Free-trade Partners of ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand. The foundation of ASEAN was laid on 8 August 1967 with five countries signing the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). Over the years, five more countries joined the association.