ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum 2026 at MP-IDSA

First ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum opens at MP-IDSA

North and South Block, New Delhi; South Block houses the Ministry of Defence

Battle Brief

On 14 October 2026 Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh opened the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at MP-IDSA in New Delhi. The two-day meeting brings India and all 11 ASEAN members together on maritime security, emerging tech and defence-industry ties, under the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.

Fact File

Event: 1st ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum
Dates: 14–15 Oct 2026
Venue: MP-IDSA, New Delhi
Members: India + 11 ASEAN states

In the news

ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum: what happened?

Strategic dialogue with ASEAN is moving from ministers’ meetings into a standing think-tank channel.

First forum opened at MP-IDSA, New Delhi, on 14 October 2026; day two is 15 October.
Participants: India and all 11 ASEAN member states.
Announced at the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur (31 Oct 2025), beside the 12th ADMM-Plus.

Back Story

What did the Raksha Mantri say on the Indo-Pacific?

India wants an Indo-Pacific where every country, large or small, can make its own choices, protect its interests and develop in peace.
Act East, SAGAR and MAHASAGAR frame India’s regional approach; 2026 is the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
He offered cooperation on patrol vessels, radars, air defence, helicopters and drones, plus co-development and MRO.

Why examiners care

Why does the ASEAN-India defence forum matter?

IR: institutionalises India–ASEAN defence dialogue beyond ADMM-Plus.
Security: maritime domain awareness, HADR and supply-chain resilience.
Economy: defence industrial co-production with trusted partners.

Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on this forum?

ASEAN has 11 member states.
MP-IDSA is under the Ministry of Defence.
ADMM-Plus is the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting with dialogue partners.
SAGAR: Security and Growth for All in the Region.

Image: Ankur Panchbudhe from Pune, India, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

How to use this in Mains

GS-II India–ASEAN defence and Indo-Pacific cooperation

If asked: India's Act East policy now has a strong maritime and defence dimension. Discuss. (GS-II)

Quote: “India wants an Indo-Pacific where every country, large or small, can make its own choices, protect its interests and develop in peace.”

Use it: Quote it as India's stated principle in the intro, then list defence-industry offers in the body.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum (October 2026) is hosted at

Answer (b) & explanation

DD News / PIB, 14 Oct 2026.

Practice · UPSC

How many ASEAN member states are participating in the first ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum?

Answer (d) & explanation

DD News, 14 Oct 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum?

A two-day Track 1.5/2 dialogue at MP-IDSA (14–15 Oct 2026) between India and all 11 ASEAN strategic communities on defence and security.

What did the Raksha Mantri emphasise?

An open, inclusive Indo-Pacific where countries make their own choices, respect sovereignty and international law, and deepen maritime and defence-industry cooperation.

Why is 2026 special for India–ASEAN maritime ties?

2026 is designated the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.