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News: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation to the 13th ADMM-Plus in the Philippines on October 28–29, 2026.
About 13th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus 2026
- Host: Philippines is hosting the 13th ADMM-Plus 2026.
- The meeting will be held in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines.
- Theme: The 2026 edition’s theme is “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
- Participants: The meeting brings together 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, including India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
- Key Features:
- Indian Delegation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation and address regional and international security issues.
- Bilateral Meetings: India will review ongoing defence ties with participating countries and explore ways to strengthen strategic partnerships.
- India’s Role: India is co-chairing the Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–2027 cycle.
- Regional Engagement: India’s participation reflects its growing defence engagement with Southeast Asia under the Act East policy.
About ADMM-Plus
- The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) serves as a key platform to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development across the region.
- Origin: The inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 12 October 2010.
- Members: It comprises 11 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam) and 8 dialogue partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand), making 19 participating countries.
- Chairmanship: The chairmanship rotates annually and is held by the host of the ASEAN Summit.
- Meeting Frequency: Defence ministers have met annually since 2017 to strengthen defence cooperation.
- Objectives: The ADMM-Plus seeks to:
- Build ASEAN’s capacity to address shared security challenges.
- Promote mutual trust and transparency among defence establishments.
- Enhance regional peace and stability through defence cooperation.
- Support the ASEAN Security Community’s vision of peace, stability, and prosperity.
- Advance the Vientiane Action Programme for a secure and outward-looking ASEAN.
- Focus areas: It currently focuses on seven areas of practical cooperation – Counter-Terrorism, Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management, Peacekeeping Operations, Military Medicine, Humanitarian Mine Action and Cyber Security.
