In News:

• 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) was held in New Delhi.
• India and Malaysia took over as co-chairs for the 2024–2027 cycle, succeeding Myanmar and Russia (2021–2024).
• Two major exercises were announced:
  • Table-top Exercise in Malaysia – 2026
  • Field Training Exercise in India – 2027
• These are part of the EWG on CT 2024–2027 Work Plan.

Purpose and Agenda:

• To devise a comprehensive and coordinated counter-terrorism strategy.
• To share on-ground experiences of ASEAN and partner nations’ defence forces.
• Focus on evolving threats like violent extremism, radicalisation, and terrorism financing.

Participants in ADMM-Plus EWG on CT:

• ASEAN Member States: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia.
• Dialogue Partners: India, China, U.S., Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia.
• ASEAN Secretariat also participated.

India-EU Counterterrorism Engagement:

• On the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, the European Union (EU) conducted a technical workshop in New Delhi on preventing and countering violent extremism.
• Organized with the Embassy of the Netherlands and attended by security experts from EU states like Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as the Strong Cities Network (SCN).
• Discussions focused on:
  • De-radicalisation strategies
  • Rehabilitation of extremists
  • Whole-of-government approaches
  • Risk evaluation and reintegration
• Reinforced the India-EU commitment made during the EU College of Commissioners' visit to India and in the Joint Leaders' Statement.

About ASEAN:

• Established: August 8, 1967 (Bangkok Declaration)
• Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community"
• Members (10):
  • Founding (1967): Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
  • Later: Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos & Myanmar (1997), Cambodia (1999)
• Population: ~662 million (2022)
• Combined GDP: $3.2 trillion (2022)

ASEAN Institutional Mechanisms:

• ASEAN Summit – Annual heads-of-state meeting.
• ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) – Implements decisions and agreements.
• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) – India joined in 1996; focuses on regional security dialogue.
• ASEAN Secretariat – Administrative support to ASEAN initiatives.

India-ASEAN Relations:

• Sectoral Dialogue Partner since 1992; Full Dialogue Partner since 1996.
• India-ASEAN FTA:
  • Goods (2009)
  • Services & Investments (2014)
• Strategic Partnership: Established in 2012.
• India in ADMM-Plus: Actively participates in defence and security cooperation mechanisms.
• ASEAN Future Forum: Proposed by Vietnam (2023); India is a founding member.