Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has offered ASEAN partners cooperation in patrol vessels, radars, air-defence systems, helicopters and drones during the forum's inaugural edition at MP-IDSA.

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• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at MP-IDSA, New Delhi, on 14 October 2026.
• The two-day forum runs on 14 and 15 October.
• It follows an announcement at the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025.
• 2026 is being observed as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
• Singh said India seeks an Indo-Pacific where countries of all sizes can make their own choices, protect their interests and pursue development in peace.
• He offered cooperation with ASEAN in patrol vessels, radars, air-defence systems, helicopters and drones.
• He stressed co-development, co-production, maintenance, repair and overhaul alongside equipment supply, linking the approach to Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• He highlighted maritime domain awareness, navy and coast guard coordination, and joint emergency response.
• Think tanks were urged to turn dialogue into joint research, fellowships and pilot projects.
• MP-IDSA Director General Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy called the forum a milestone in defence engagement.