Recently, the Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh held a meeting with his Timor-Leste counterpart Rear Admiral Donaciano Do Rosario da Costa Gomes in Jakarta and reaffirmed India's support for the development needs of the country.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is currently on a visit to Indonesia to attend the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta.

Singh also had bilateral meetings with the Indonesian and Vietnamese counterparts on the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus Meeting.

Discussions around future collaboration include the supply of made-in-India defence equipment, capacity building, and training.

The Timorese counterpart welcomed India's decision to open an Embassy in Timor-Leste also known as East Timor and offered his Ministry's support. He also thanked Singh for India's support to Timor-Leste's efforts to become a full member of ASEAN.

Later, the Union Minister interacted with the members of the diverse and vibrant Indian community in Jakarta. Also, conversed with the leaders and members of various Indian organisations in the country. The Minister was happy to witness close ties between the countries.

Highlighting India's achievements in the past decade including Digital India, New Education Policy, Women's Empowerment, Jal Jeevan Abhiyaan, Rural Road Connectivity, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin.

Singh also visited the Shiva Temple in Jakarta and offered prayers.

Reiterating about India's central support to the ASEAN grouping, Rajnath Singh appreciated all the member states of the respective grouping for showing their enthusiastic participation with India in the following initiatives, including the 1st ASEAN- India Informal Defence Ministers Meeting, the ASEAN Maritime Exercise, India's Initiatives for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and the Marine Plastic Pollution Response.

Also appreciated the unwavering support of the ASEAN Secretariat excellent support in the implementation of ASEAN-India projects. Views were exchanged to improve the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (ANI).

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Reference:

• theprint.in
• ANI
• newsonair.gov.in