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Defence and strategic ties between India and Malaysia are about to take the next big step as two major military exercises were announced to be held in the next three years.

This was decided during the course of 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (EWG on CT) that was held in Delhi for two days ending on 20th of March 2025.

India & Malaysia assume co-chairmanship for 2024-2027 cycle; Announce Table-Top Exercise in Malaysia in 2026 & Field Training Exercise in India in 2027

Discussions during ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting focused on evolving a comprehensive strategy to tackle terrorism & extremism.

Delegations from ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN countries (Lao PDR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam), ADMM-Plus member states (China, USA, Russia, Australia, Japan and Republic of Korea) participated in the meeting.

During 14th ADMM-Plus EWG on CT, the co-chairs, India and Malaysia conveyed work plan for the activities planned for the cycle 2024-2027.

As stated earlier, it was announced the conduct of Table-Top Exercise for EWG on CT in Malaysia in 2026 and Field Training Exercise in India in 2027.

During the two-day meet, discussions were held to focus on evolving a robust and comprehensive strategy to tackle the evolving threat of terrorism and extremism.

The meeting was aimed to share the on-ground experience of the Defence Forces of ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners.

The meeting laid a foundation for the activities/exercises/meetings/ workshops planned for the current cycle.

Earlier, Myanmar and Russia, co-chairs for EWG on CT during the previous cycle for 2021-2024, handed over the co-chairmanship to India and Malaysia for the present cycle (2024-2027).