Close India Partnership 'Essential' For ASEAN, Says MiDAS Chief

By Shakir Husain

HYDERABAD, Oct 15 (NNN) -- A close partnership with India is not only a good choice but also “essential”, Malaysian Institute for Defence and Security (MiDAS) chief executive Vice-Admiral Datuk Yusne Mokhtar said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, he called for greater cooperation between Malaysia and India amid growing maritime rivalry among major powers.

He said maritime security could not be separated from economics, technology, international law or geopolitics.

“What happens at sea directly impacts our economies and communities. Today, many nations, including global superpowers and emerging states, are expanding their presence in our waters. While this brings opportunities for trade, it also creates competition,” Yusne said.

“Our core duty as ASEAN and regional partners is clear: we must manage this competition wisely. We must avoid overlap, prevent unnecessary rivalry and expand real cooperation so that the wealth of our oceans is shared fairly and sustainably,” he added.

Without clear rules and mutual respect, competition can turn into a zero-sum game where stronger actors seek an unfair advantage, Yusne said in his speech.

“We must ensure that no single power dominates these waters and that all nations respect the rules that keep the peace,” he said.

The MiDAS chief spoke at the ASEAN-India Defence Think-Tank Forum organised by India’s Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

The conference aims to strengthen engagement between India and ASEAN member states in the field of defence and security.

Yusne said ASEAN and India oversee vast maritime areas, making the protection of sea lines of communication a top operational priority. 

“Recent disruptions at global chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz show how quickly a distant crisis can threaten global energy supplies, food security, and trade,” he said.

Yusne said India offers vast opportunities in technology, defence, the blue economy and regional connectivity, but a clear purpose and vision were needed to strengthen the India-ASEAN partnership.

“As major-power competition grows across our region, ASEAN and India must continue to cooperate with a clear vision,” he said.

--NNN