India’s defense minister, Rajnath Singh, stated that India is fully committed to freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in international waters. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for global peace and stability, calling for regional security initiatives that are consultative and development-oriented. Singh also held a conversation with his US counterpart to review progress in bilateral ties and discuss efforts towards a more secure Indo-Pacific region. The comments were made at the Asean defense ministers’ meeting-plus in Jakarta.