Ways to enhance defence and security cooperation among the member nations to effectively counter various transnational security challenges facing the regionwere discussed.
Defence ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) signed a joint declaration during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) reaffirming their common commitments and goals to promote defence cooperation and regional security. The joint declaration embodied the collective sense of the ASEAN defence ministers on the regional security environment.
Addressing the AseanDefence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Indian defense minister called for safeguarding freedom of navigation which is a key concern of East Asian states.
Recent nuclear and missile tests conducted by North Korea were criticized.
The ADMM-Plus has become an effective platform for practical cooperation among the participating countries defence establishments.
The ADMM-Plus has also another unique feature of military to military relations where militaries can exercise and cooperate with one another to build confidence and understanding.
Top naval commanders cleared a new plan for deployment of warships in the Indian Ocean region to effectively counter China's growing presence in the strategically key waters.