India ready to share 'battle-tested' anti-terror expertise with ASEAN, its dialogue partners: Rajnath Singh

29 Oct 2026, 12:55 PM 4 min read

New Delhi India is ready to share its "battle-tested" counter-terror expertise with ASEAN and its dialogue partners, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday (October 29, 2026) as he described Operation Sindoor as a declaration of New Delhi's clear approach against state-sponsored terrorist activities. The Defence Minister also said that India supports an Indo-Pacific that is secure and resilient -- one where peace and stability are not merely aspirations, but the outcome of collective efforts.

Rajnath raises U.S. F-16 package for Pakistan, cross-border terrorism with Hegseth Rajnath raises U.S. F-16 package for Pakistan, cross-border terrorism with Hegseth Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conveyed India’s concerns to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the ADMM-Plus in Cebu, with Mr. Hegseth reaffirming Washington’s support in combating cross-border terrorism Rajnath raises U.S.

F-16 package for Pakistan, cross-border terrorism with Hegseth storyline 1 In an address at a conclave of defence ministers of ASEAN member states and the bloc's dialogue partners in Cebu in the Philippines, he flagged concerns over disruptions in certain maritime trade routes and 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," he said at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) conclave. However, what drew more attention was Mr. Singh's call for concerted efforts to combat terrorism. "India is fully prepared to share its practical and battle-tested counter-terrorism expertise with ADMM-Plus partners," he said.

Hegseth proposes 'ambitious' U.S.-ASEAN defence framework at Philippine summit Hegseth proposes 'ambitious' U.S.-ASEAN defence framework at Philippine summit The United States has been seeking to boost its regional defence partnerships in recent years, citing the need to uphold what it terms a "free and open Indo-Pacific" as China has increasingly flexed its muscles in the region Hegseth proposes 'ambitious' U.S.-ASEAN defence framework at Philippine summit storyline 1 "Through joint military exercises, capacity-building programmes, and robust intelligence sharing, we can further strengthen our collective capabilities," he added.

The Defence Minister said that a major example of India's approach against terrorism was last year's Operation Sindoor when a large number of terrorist infrastructures were destroyed. "This was also a declaration of India's clear approach against state-sponsored terror," he said. India's experience in the field of counter-terrorism is not just classroom or theoretical knowledge, but rather an experience gained over decades while confronting cross-border security challenges, he said, referring to Pakistan's use of terrorism against India.

Rajnath Singh stresses need for long-term vision, flexible strategies for the Army Rajnath Singh stresses need for long-term vision, flexible strategies for the Army Defence Minister calls for integrated approach to modern warfare and emphases that land operations and ground forces would remain indispensable despite the growing significance of air, maritime, space, and cyber domains Rajnath Singh stresses need for long-term vision, flexible strategies for the Army storyline 1 "Every strategy of ours against terrorism has been tested and proven in actual operations and has demonstrated its success," he said.

Mr. Singh also outlined India's vision for the Indo-Pacific. "We support an Indo-Pacific that is secure and resilient -- one where peace and stability are not merely aspirations, but the outcome of our collective efforts," he said. He said India considers maritime security to be an issue connected to peace, security, and prosperity in the region. "India's emphasis on the rule of law, and particularly on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as its advocacy for freedom of navigation and overflight, is not against any country.

Rather, its purpose is to protect the collective interests of all regional stakeholders," he said. Mr. Singh’s remarks came amid consistent demands by several ASEAN member states as well as democratic nations for adherence to UNCLOS in the face of Beijing's increasing military muscle flexing in the contested South China Sea.