Officials pose for a photo at the ASEAN - US Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on November 22. (Photo: VNA)At the meeting with ASEAN ministers, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin reaffirmed hiscountry’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region on the basis ofrespect for countries’ independence and sovereignty, and for international law.
Heads of the ASEAN delegations welcomed the US’s activeparticipation in ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms, especially the ASEAN DecenceMinisters’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
Applauding the US’s active efforts in defence cooperationwith the bloc, they called on this country to continue actively taking part in andcontributing to ASEAN-chaired mechanisms and frameworks, and commit tosupporting the group’s solidarity, unity, and centrality.
Speaking at the other meeting, Indian Defence Minister ShriRajnath Singh said India always respects ASEAN’s centrality and has activelyparticipated in ASEAN-led mechanisms like the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEANRegional Forum (ARF). Its “Act East” policy is a demonstration of its strongcommitment to promoting relations with the bloc.
Officials at the ASEAN - India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Siem Reap on November 22 (Photo: VNA)The ASEAN officials highly valued India’s active and responsibleengagement in ASEAN-led activities, especially the ADMM+ and expert workinggroups, helping build up trust and improve the coordination capacity and capabilitiesof ASEAN countries. They also welcomed and voiced support for the India-proposedinitiatives.
Highly evaluating India’s meaningful proposals, Giang held that thefirst informal meeting between ASEAN and Indian defence ministers was a goodchance to discuss issues of common concern and bolster bilateral defence cooperation.
ASEAN’s agreement in principle to organise the first ASEAN -India maritime exercise reflects the bloc’s support for India’s proposals, henoted.
Following the informal sessions, Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang had bilateralmeetings with his counterparts from Indonesia, the US, the Republic of Korea, andIndia./.
VNA
