India, Nov. 1 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reaffirmed India's commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, free from any form of coercion, as global unease grows over China's increasing military assertiveness in the region.

Speaking at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singh underlined that India stands for strengthening the ASEAN-led regional security architecture, which he described as central to ensuring lasting peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

'Cornerstone of India's Act East Policy'

Calling the ADMM-Plus a "cornerstone" of India's Act East Policy and its wider Indo-Pacific strategy, Singh said the forum has transformed regional defence d...