ASEAN Defense Leaders Discuss Cooperation in Kuala Lumpur

During the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Kuala Lumpur, significant discussions and agreements were made to enhance regional and international defence cooperation. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn commended Malaysian Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin for his leadership as ADMM Chair and reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment to advancing community-building efforts under ASEAN 2045. Dr. Kao also engaged with the U.S. Secretary of War, Peter Brian Hegseth, to discuss ASEAN-US relations and global security challenges. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth met with India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to sign a new 10-year framework aimed at deepening the US-India defence partnership, emphasizing India's strategic importance in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. Hegseth also held talks with Chinese Admiral Dong Jun, stressing the U.S. commitment to defending its Indo-Pacific interests amidst tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Additionally, Dr. Kao met with New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins to explore further defence cooperation marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations and the establishment of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.