India, Oct. 14 -- Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India was ready to explore defence cooperation with ASEAN in areas ranging from patrol vessels, radars and air defence systems to helicopters, drones and other technologies, signalling New Delhi's push to deepen military ties with the Southeast Asian bloc.

"Beyond the purchase of equipment, we should look at co-development, co-production, maintenance, repair and overhaul, training and long-term technical support. These arrangements can build local skills, support industry and make supply chains more reliable," Singh said at the inaugural session of the ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses.

He said that Ind...