Firm on tackling terror: India at Asean meeting

India remains steadfast in its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and believes in an approach that combines robust domestic mechanisms, enhanced intelligence-sharing and strong regional cooperation, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said today.

He was delivering the keynote address at the 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus experts working group (EWG) on counter-terrorism in New Delhi.

Terrorism remains a dynamic and evolving challenge, with threats increasingly transcending borders, and the use of advanced technology, cyber tools and unmanned systems by terrorist groups necessitates a cohesive, forward looking and action-oriented approach.

The Indo-Pacific region, given its geopolitical and economic significance, is particularly vulnerable to transitional terrorism and violent extremism, which calls for a comprehensive, adaptive and deeply collaborative response.

The Defence Secretary emphasised that, through the ADMM-Plus platform, India seeks to build synergy among the defence forces, security agencies. Terrorism can destabilise governments, undermine civil society and threaten social and economic development.

The Defence Secretary termed India’s relationship with ASEAN as a key pillar of its foreign policy, which is at the heart of Act East Policy. He reiterated India’s strong support to a stable and unified ASEAN which serves as an institutional anchor of an important region.

Delegations from 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand) and eight dialogue partners (Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, USA and Russia) along with Timor Leste and ASEAN Secretariat are participating in the meeting. India is co-chairing the EWG on counter-terrorism for the first time.