o Tri services command in Andaman and NIcobar
o Participation in forum for ASEAN security dialogue such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). India has been attending annual meetings of this forum since 1996 and has actively participated in its various activities.
o The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN. The ADMM+ brings together Defence Ministers from the 10 ASEAN nations plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States on a biannual basis.
o Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) is an avenue for track 1.5 diplomacy focusing on cross cutting maritime issues of common concern.
o CSCAP: Council for Security and Cooperation in the Asia Pacific, is a Track-2 organ of the security related bodies, such as ARF, EAS and the ADMM. India was given a membership of the CSCAP in 2000 and participates in periodic conference that acts as forum for regional scholars and experts to exchange views and often provide useful policy option for Track-1.
♤ In the Delhi declaration 2018 the two sides reaffirmed the:
o commitment to work closely together on common regional and international security issues of mutual concern and ensure an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture through existing ASEAN-led frameworks and mechanisms
o importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region and other lawful uses of the seas and unimpeded lawful maritime commerce and to promote peaceful resolutions of disputes, in accordance United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS), and the relevant standards and recommended practices by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
o Strengthen maritime cooperation through existing relevant mechanisms and work together to prevent and manage accidents and incidents at sea and promote effective coordination between ASEAN and India in maritime search and rescue.
o Deepen cooperation in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, violent extremism and radicalisation through information sharing, law enforcement cooperation and capacity building under the existing ASEAN-led mechanisms.
o Support the implementation of the Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates to promote peace, security, upholding rule of law,
o Commitment and promote comprehensive approach to combat terrorism through close cooperation by disrupting and countering terrorists, terrorist groups and networks, including by countering cross border movement of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters and misuse of Internet including social media by terror entities; strengthen cooperation to stop terrorism financing efforts, and prevent recruitment of members of terrorist groups; support efforts in targeting terrorist groups and sanctuaries; and take further urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, while stressing that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever.
o Work together with the international community to ensure compliance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding counter-terrorism, and to note efforts on the negotiations of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations.
o Strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and India on cyber-security capacity building and policy coordination, including through supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy. The declaration also proposed First ASEAN- India Cyber Dialogue in 2018.
2.6.1. The South China Sea Disputes
♤ Since the 1970s, the South China Sea has been a nest of competing sovereignty claims over the island features and ocean spaces by a number of adjacent countries.
♤ The South China dispute is over territory, sovereignty and maritime rights and entitlement, particularly along the Paracel and the Spratly island chains.