The meetings were held right after the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat concluded.
At the ASEAN - U.S. Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific on the basis of respect for the independence and sovereignty of nations, regardless of size, and international laws.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang attends the ASEAN - U.S. informal meeting |
Head delegates of ASEAN countries welcomed the U.S.'s active participation in ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms, especially ADMM+. Recognizing the U.S.'s active efforts in defense cooperation with ASEAN over the past time, ASEAN head delegates hoped that the U.S. would continue to actively participate in and contribute to ASEAN-chaired mechanisms and frameworks and be committed to supporting the unity, and centrality of ASEAN.
At the informal meeting between ASEAN defense ministers and their Indian counterpart Shri Rajnath Singh, the latter underlined that India always treasures ASEAN’s central role, actively engages in ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum.
The Indian defense chief said that India’s “Act East Policy” demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to bolstering its relations with ASEAN.
He proposed several cooperation initiatives to enhance the participation of ASEAN women in U.N. peacekeeping operations and response to plastic-caused pollution at sea.
Heads of ASEAN delegations highly appreciated India’s active and responsible engagement in ASEAN-led mechanisms, particularly ADMM+, and ADMM Plus Experts’ Working Groups, making contribution to building trust, raising coordination capability, and supporting ASEAN in competence improvement. They applauded and voiced their support for India-proposed initiatives.
In his speech, Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang spoke highly of meaningful initiatives from the Indian Ministry of Defense in celebration of the 30th anniversary of ASEAN - India relations. He stressed that this first-ever informal meeting between ASEAN and Indian defense ministers was a good opportunity for the two sides to exchange issues of common concern and promote their defense cooperation. In addition, ASEAN’s agreement in principle to organize the first ASEAN - India Maritime Exercise showed ASEAN's support for India's proposal.
Translated by Mai Huong