India ready to share counter-terror expertise: Rajnath at ASEAN meet

Reaffirming India’s commitment to collective regional security and eradication of terrorism in all its forms, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that New Delhi is ready to share its “battle-tested” counter-terror expertise with ASEAN and its dialogue partners.  He also described Operation Sindoor as a declaration of the country’s clear approach against state-sponsored terrorist activities.

Addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Cebu, Philippines, he asserted that India’s every strategy has been tested, refined, and proven in the crucible of real-world operations.

New Delhi’s extensive counter-terrorism expertise is not theoretical classroom knowledge; it is hard-earned experience from decades of confronting complex, cross-border security challenges on the ground, the defence minister said.

He also said this proactive, battle-tested doctrine was decisively demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, when India dismantled terrorist infrastructure and enforced a non-negotiable red line against state-sponsored terror.

Rajnath Singh underlined that terrorism knows no borders and India stands fully prepared to share its practical, battle-tested experience with ADMM-Plus partners through joint exercises, capacity-building programmes, and robust intelligence sharing to strengthen collective capabilities.

The defence minister also said India supports a secure, resilient Indo-Pacific, where peace and stability are not merely aspirations but the outcome of collective efforts.

He flagged concerns over disruptions in certain maritime trade routes. He asserted that India will continue to act as a “trusted net security provider” in the Indian Ocean region and the wider Indo-Pacific.

“Today, when global trade routes are facing new types of international threats, merely issuing statements on maritime security is not enough,” Rajnath Singh said.

He said India’s strategic engagement with ASEAN is long-term and rooted in shared interests, mutual respect, and practical cooperation.

The defence minister emphasised that India does not merely preach the tenets of international maritime law; it steadfastly practices global laws on maritime security.

He highlighted that by deploying frontline warships, India has successfully escorted thousands of merchant vessels and thwarted dozens of high-seas hijackings, extending protection to commercial shipping irrespective of flag or nationality. He termed the security of commercial shipping India’s responsibility.