ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)

• The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism is set to take place in New Delhi on March 19-20, 2025, co-chaired by India and Malaysia.
• This marks India’s first time as a co-chair of the EWG on Counter-Terrorism.

About ADMM-Plus

• Established in 2010, it is a security platform including ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members and eight dialogue partners.
• Aims to enhance security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Focus areas include counter-terrorism, maritime security, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance & disaster management, military medicine, humanitarian mine action, and cyber security.

Role of Experts Working Groups (EWGs)

• Each EWG is co-chaired for three years (one ASEAN nation + one dialogue partner).
• Co-chairs define objectives, policies, and guidelines for their tenure.
• Two meetings per year and one practical exercise in the final year.

Participants

• 10 ASEAN members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand.
• 8 Dialogue Partners: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, China, USA, Russia, India.
• Others: Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthening counter-terrorism strategies and regional security.
• Enhancing cooperation through experience-sharing and policy development.
• Formulating a strategic plan (2024-2027) for security collaboration.