14th ADMM Plus meeting on Counter Terrorism Conclude in New Delhi

The two-day 14th meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)—Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism concluded on 20 March 2025 in New Delhi. 

India co-chaired the ADMM -Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism for the first time, and Malaysia was the other co-chair of the meeting.

India and Malaysia assume the Co-Chairmanship

India and Malaysia assumed the co-chairmanship of the Group from Myanmar and Russia for the next three-year cycle (2025-2028) during the 14th meeting of the ADMM- Plus  Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi.

Who inaugurated the 14th ADMM- Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism?

The 14th ADMM -Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism was inaugurated by the Defence Secretary 

.Rajesh Kumar Singh. He also delivered the keynote address at the meeting.

Who attended the 14th ADMM -Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism?

• The meeting was attended by the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) - Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand. 
• It was also attended by the eight dialogue partners of ASEAN - India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea,  Russia, Japan, China and the United States of America.
• Timor Leste, which has been granted an observer status in ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat based in Jakarta, Indonesia delegates were also present in the meeting.

Priorities of the ADMM -Plus EWG on Counter-Terrorism for 2025-2028

According to Defence Secretary Rajesh Singh, during the next three-year cycle the following priorities of the ADMM Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism will be achieved in two phases.

First Phase

The emphasis will be on :

• strengthening regional cooperation and improving interoperability among the Armed Forces of the member countries;
• counter the misuse of emerging technologies and address threats posed by terrorists through the use of AI-driven propaganda, encrypted communications, etc.

Second phase;

• Malaysia will host a Table-Top Exercise in 2026 to improve the Counter-Terrorism planning and preparedness of the member countries' experts;
• India will host a Field Training Exercise in 2027. 
• It will aim at stimulating real-world Counter-Terrorism scenarios to enhance operational coordination and test rapid response mechanisms.

About ADMM Plus

The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) - Plus was founded in 2010 and India is the founding member of the ADMM Plus.

It includes the 10 members of the ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partners of ASEAN.

Read More about ASEAN and  its relationship with India