India, Oct. 14 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for an open, inclusive and multipolar Indo-Pacific where countries can make independent choices, protect their interests and pursue development peacefully, emphasising the need for greater trust, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law amid rising strategic competition.

Addressing the maiden ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi, Singh said India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) shared a common interest in ensuring regional peace, stability and prosperity. He stressed that countries must keep channels of dialogue open and resolve differences ...