ASEAN Counter-Terrorism Summit Concludes with Commitment to Develop Strong Strategy
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Synopsis
The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus focused on creating a solid strategy to combat terrorism and extremism. Key outcomes included collaborative exercises and plans for future activities aimed at enhancing regional security and cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- Commitment to a comprehensive strategy against terrorism.
- Plans for joint exercises to strengthen regional cooperation.
- Focus on intelligence-sharing among member nations.
- India and Malaysia take on co-chairmanship for the 2024-2027 cycle.
- Emphasis on zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) A comprehensive and robust strategy to confront the escalating menace of terrorism and extremism was a pivotal outcome of the 14th convening of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT), as reported by an official on Friday.
The two-day assembly, which concluded on Thursday, was aimed at exchanging practical experiences among the Defence forces of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners.
This meeting established a groundwork for the planned activities, exercises, meetings, and workshops for the ongoing cycle, according to official statements.
Representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN member nations (Lao PDR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam), and ADMM-Plus partners (China, USA, Russia, Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea) were present.
During the discussions, the co-chairs, India and Malaysia, outlined the work plan for the activities scheduled for the 2024-2027 cycle. They announced a Table-Top Exercise for the EWG on CT in Malaysia in 2026 and a Field Training Exercise in India in 2027, as stated in the report.
Previously, Myanmar and Russia, who co-chaired the EWG on CT during the 2021-2024 cycle, passed the co-chairmanship to India and Malaysia for the current cycle (2024-2027). India is hosting the inaugural EWG meeting for this new cycle.
In the opening session, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh delivered the keynote address and engaged with the heads of delegations during the ceremony.
The Defence Secretary stated, "India upholds a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and advocates an approach that integrates strong domestic mechanisms, enhanced intelligence-sharing, and robust regional cooperation.
He underscored that through the ADMM-Plus framework, India aims to create synergies among Defence forces, security agencies, and policy structures to effectively tackle emerging threats.
He remarked that terrorism continues to evolve as a challenge, with threats increasingly crossing borders. He pointed out India’s initiatives in combating terrorism regionally, including the adoption of the Delhi Declaration during India’s chairmanship of the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee in 2022.
Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, Amitabh Prasad, Additional Director General (IC) of the Indian Army, and senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Army’s Counter-Terrorism division were also in attendance.
