Rajnath Singh addresses first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at MP-IDSA, New Delhi
On 14 October 2026, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh addressed the maiden ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at MP-IDSA, New Delhi, seeking an Indo-Pacific where all countries make their own choices.
Summary
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi, on 14 October 2026. He said India seeks an Indo-Pacific where all countries, large and small, make their own choices, and linked India's Act East Policy and the SAGAR and MAHASAGAR visions with ASEAN-led mechanisms. Noting that 2026 is the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, he called for better maritime information sharing, navy and coast guard cooperation, and co-development and co-production of defence equipment. The two-day forum (14-15 October) drew participants from all eleven ASEAN member states and India.
Key facts
- Event
- 1st ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum
- Venue
- MP-IDSA, New Delhi
- Dates
- 14-15 October 2026
- Addressed by
- Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh
- Theme year
- 2026 = ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation
- MAHASAGAR
- Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
- Participants
- All eleven ASEAN member states and India
- MP-IDSA DG
- Amb Sujan R Chinoy
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Where was the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum held in October 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — MP-IDSA, New Delhi
According to Rajnath Singh at the forum in October 2026, the year 2026 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Year of:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Maritime Cooperation