International Relations · GS2.9, GS3.8 · 2026-10-14 · 3 min read · 2026-10-14-pm
India Advocates Peace and Cooperation at 1st ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum
India's Defence Minister emphasized the need for a peaceful, inclusive Indo-Pacific where countries make sovereign choices and cooperate on security challenges. The forum aims to strengthen ASEAN-India defence ties through dialogue, maritime security, technology collaboration, and disaster response.
India promotes trust, sovereignty respect, and joint capacity-building for a stable Indo-Pacific at the inaugural ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum.
Why is this in the news?
On October 14, 2026, India's Defence Minister addressed the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum to discuss regional peace, security cooperation, and strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
What was the purpose of the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum?
- Forum objectives. The forum aims to strengthen strategic dialogue, promote joint analysis, and identify practical avenues for enhanced defence and security cooperation between India and ASEAN.
- Institutional milestone. It institutionalizes enduring dialogue between India and ASEAN’s strategic communities and helps identify practical areas for deeper defence and security cooperation.
What is India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific region?
- Sovereign choices and peace. India seeks an Indo-Pacific where all countries, large and small, make their own choices, protect their interests, and pursue development in peace.
- Trust and international law. India calls for building trust, respecting sovereignty, following international law, and keeping dialogue channels open to address borderless challenges.
- Act East and SAGAR policies. India aligns its Act East policy and visions like SAGAR and MAHASAGAR with ASEAN-led mechanisms to promote an open, multipolar Indo-Pacific.
How does India propose to enhance maritime security cooperation?
- Shared maritime responsibility. India and ASEAN view the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian waters as a connected maritime space crucial for trade, energy, and essential goods, requiring joint efforts to keep it safe.
- Maritime domain awareness. Strengthening maritime domain awareness, interoperability, and underwater cooperation is key to a stable, rule-based maritime order.
- Practical actions in 2026. Designated as ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, 2026 focuses on sharing maritime information, naval and coast guard cooperation, and joint emergency response.
- Addressing maritime threats. Cooperation includes combating piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, and other threats in accordance with international law.
What role does defence technology and innovation play in cooperation?
- Emerging technologies. Artificial Intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities, and space-based systems are increasingly important, requiring practical and affordable solutions.
- Inclusive innovation. India encourages collaboration with start-ups, universities, research institutions, and smaller companies through initiatives like iDEX and Technology Development Fund.
- Joint research and safeguards. The forum promotes joint research projects, shared testing, exchanges among young researchers, and innovation challenges while protecting sensitive information and intellectual property.
- Defence industrial cooperation. India is open to cooperating with ASEAN partners on patrol vessels, radars, air-defence systems, helicopters, drones, and other technologies, emphasizing co-development and long-term partnerships.
How does India address humanitarian and disaster challenges in the region?
- HADR importance. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief is a key area of defence dialogue due to cyclones, floods, rising sea levels, and extreme weather threatening ports, trade, and lives.
- Cooperation benefits. Sharing best practices and improving coordination before crises occur can enhance regional resilience.
Key numbers
| Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|
| October 14, 2026 | Date of the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum | |
| 2026 | Designated as ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation |
Back to basics: Indo-Pacific region and maritime security
The Indo-Pacific is a vast maritime region connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans, crucial for global trade and security. Maritime security involves protecting sea lanes, preventing illegal activities like piracy and trafficking, and ensuring safe navigation. Cooperation among regional countries is essential to maintain a stable and rule-based maritime order that supports economic growth and peace.
Practice: MCQ, Mains and revision
Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements about the 1st ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum: 1. It aims to enhance defence cooperation through joint research, maritime security, and technology collaboration. 2. The forum was initiated by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer and trap
Answer: (a). Statement 2 is incorrect because the forum was announced by the Defence Minister in 2025 and organized by the Ministry of Defence, not the Ministry of External Affairs.
Mains question (15 marks)
Examine India’s approach to regional security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific as reflected in the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum.
Examine: Analyze India’s strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific and how the forum advances defence cooperation with ASEAN.
Intro: India’s Indo-Pacific strategy emphasizes peace, sovereignty, and multilateral cooperation.
- India advocates for an inclusive Indo-Pacific where countries make sovereign choices and collaborate on security challenges.
- The forum promotes maritime security through shared domain awareness, interoperability, and joint responses to threats.
- Defence technology cooperation and innovation are prioritized to build capabilities and trusted partnerships.
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation address non-traditional security challenges in the region.
Conclusion: The ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum exemplifies India’s commitment to a stable, cooperative Indo-Pacific security architecture.
Quick revision
- What is the main goal of the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum?
- To strengthen strategic dialogue and practical defence cooperation between India and ASEAN.
- Why is 2026 significant for ASEAN-India maritime cooperation?
- 2026 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
- Which technologies are emphasized for defence collaboration in the forum?
- Artificial Intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities, and space-based systems.
Updates
- Close defence-academia-industry collaboration key to accelerating development & adoption of indigenous tech amid evolving nature of warfare: Raksha Mantri — Press Information Bureau: Close defence-academia-industry collaboration key to accelerating development & adoption of indigenous tech amid evolving nature of warfare: Raksha Mantri