NEW DELHI: The 14th meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministersโ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from March 19 to 20. India and Malaysia will jointly co-chair this crucial gathering, marking Indiaโs first time in this leadership role.
Delegations from 10 ASEAN member statesโBrunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailandโwill participate in the meeting.
Additionally, eight dialogue partners, including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, China, the United States, and Russia, along with Timor Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat, will be in attendance.
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The meeting will focus on developing a robust and comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism and extremism.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony on March 19. This meeting will initiate the activities planned for the EWG on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 cycle.
Key discussions will revolve around sharing on-ground experiences of defence forces from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, ensuring that the strategy reflects practical insights from global counter-terrorism efforts.
Foundation for Future Cooperation Across Defence Establishments
The ADMM-Plus platform serves as a vital mechanism for enhancing cooperation among the participating countriesโ defence establishments. It currently emphasizes seven key areas of collaboration:
- Counter-Terrorism
- Maritime Security
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management
- Peacekeeping Operations
- Military Medicine
- Humanitarian Mine Action
- Cyber Security
Expert Working Groups (EWGs) have been formed to promote collaboration in these focus areas. Each EWG is co-chaired by one ASEAN member state and one dialogue partner, with a three-year tenure.
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As co-chairs, India and Malaysia will lead the EWG on Counter-Terrorism by setting objectives, policy guidelines, and strategic direction for the 2024-2027 cycle. They will oversee regular EWG meetings, ensuring at least two are held each year.
The final year will feature an exercise โ whether Table-Top, Field Training, Staff, or Communication-based โ to assess the progress achieved in strengthening practical cooperation.
This partnership highlights Indiaโs growing role in regional security and its commitment to fostering international cooperation in combating terrorism.
