Minister calls for joint research in India-ASEAN
India’s initiatives like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Technology Development Fund (TDF) have created a way to collaborate with innovators for our defence needs, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has told a regional defence forum.
Addressing the 1st ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum in Delhi on 14 Oct, he called for exploring ways for innovators to work together on clearly defined problems, such as counter-drone systems, cyber defence, maritime surveillance and disaster response.
Rajnath Singh called for joint research projects, shared testing opportunities, exchanges among young researchers and carefully designed innovation challenges, emphasising that such cooperation must also protect sensitive information, respect intellectual property and ensure that technology is shared responsibly. “The aim should be to develop useful capabilities while strengthening trust between our countries,” he said.
On defence industrial cooperation, the Minister asserted that India is ready to explore cooperation with ASEAN partners in areas such as patrol vessels, radars, air-defence systems, helicopters, drones and other technologies, according to each country’s needs and priorities.
Underlining the importance of co-development, co-production, maintenance, repair and overhaul, training and long-term technical support, Rajnath Singh said these arrangements can build local skills, support industry and make supply chains more reliable.
“Our researchers need to look closely at what makes such partnerships work: clear requirements, reliable after-sales support, appropriate technology safeguards, fair sharing of responsibilities and benefits, and opportunities for local companies and skilled workers. Our goal should be lasting partnerships, not one-time transactions,” he said.
Held on 14 and 15 October 2026, the forum aims to strengthen strategic dialogue, promote joint analysis and identify practical avenues for enhanced defence and security cooperation between India and ASEAN.
The forum deliberated on strategic stability, regional geopolitics, maritime security, grey-zone challenges, HADR, maritime domain awareness, defence technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, unmanned systems, defence industry collaboration and resilient supply chains. The discussions are expected to contribute to a stronger and more forward-looking ASEAN-India defence partnership, the Ministry of Defence said. fiinews.com
