During the 12th ADMM-Plus meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that India’s focus on the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific aims to safeguard the collective interests of regional stakeholders rather than target any specific nation. He reiterated India’s commitment to a cooperative and inclusive regional order based on mutual respect and adherence to international law, particularly in light of rising concerns over China’s assertive military posture in the South China Sea. Singh highlighted the importance of ASEAN as central to regional stability and reaffirmed India’s dedication to strengthening ASEAN-led security frameworks as part of its Act East Policy. The discussions at the ADMM-Plus also touched on enhancing maritime collaboration, counterterrorism, and capacity building, underscoring India’s readiness to work with ASEAN partners to maintain the Indo-Pacific as a zone of peace and shared opportunity. This development signifies India’s strategic pivot towards fostering a rules-based order in the region, which is essential for countering coercive behaviors and ensuring balanced development among nations.