Rajnath Singh to attend ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Laos


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Rajnath Singh to attend ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Laos
Rajnath Singh will address the forum on Regional and International Security Issues during the ADMM-Plus in Vientiane, Laos.
ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states and its eight Dialogue Partners
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will pay an official visit to Vientiane, Lao PDR from November 20-22, 2024 to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). Announcing the visit on Monday (November 18, 2024), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Singh will address the forum on Regional and International Security Issues during the meeting.  

The Defence Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 11th ADMM-Plus meeting, with participating counterparts from Australia, China, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea and USA. “These meetings are aimed at further enhancing bilateral defence cooperation with these countries,” the MoD said.

ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN. ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation. 

India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to bolster the cooperation amongst ASEAN and the Plus countries. Lao PDR is the chair and host of 11th ADMM-Plus.

Addressing the 10th ADMM-Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 16, 2023, Defence Minister Singh emphasised the critical role of dialogue and diplomacy in global peace and reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters.

Singh also highlighted ASEAN's central role in fostering regional dialogue and consensus, calling for collaborative efforts among ASEAN and Plus countries to ensure peace, prosperity, and security in the region.

The ADMM-Plus progresses practical cooperation amongst member countries through seven Experts Working Groups (EWGs) - Maritime Security, Military Medicine, Cyber Security, Peacekeeping Operations, Counter Terrorism, Humanitarian Mine Action and Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR). 

The EWGs are each co-chaired by one ASEAN Member States and one Plus Country, following a three-year cycle.7. India became co-chair of the EWG on HADR along with Indonesia for the 2021-2024 cycle. The focus on HADR highlights India’s capacity and willingness to provide assistance during natural calamities in the region.
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