Southeast Asian defense leaders approved 20 security initiatives and conducted approximately 50 bilateral discussions during a two-day gathering in Kuala Lumpur that concluded on Saturday. Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin guided the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting toward adopting the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, which addressed regional tensions while emphasizing that prosperity and safety remain inseparable for member states.
The declaration called for rapid completion of a South China Sea conduct code aligned with 1982 maritime law, praised a Cambodia-Thailand peace agreement and urged Myanmar's military government to implement a five-point reconciliation plan. Ministers welcomed Timor-Leste's membership progress and signed frameworks for search operations, underwater infrastructure protection and cyber defense networks. Washington will join maritime exercises in December, while Beijing, New Delhi and Seoul plan separate drills under a bilateral format.
Saturday's expanded meeting brought together Asean countries with eight partner nations to reaffirm cooperation goals. Khaled characterized America as a security advocate, China as an economic driver and India as an innovation center, stressing that all partnerships must respect international regulations. He said the forum succeeded because it allows competing viewpoints to receive consideration rather than serving as ceremonial theater.
The declaration called for rapid completion of a South China Sea conduct code aligned with 1982 maritime law, praised a Cambodia-Thailand peace agreement and urged Myanmar's military government to implement a five-point reconciliation plan. Ministers welcomed Timor-Leste's membership progress and signed frameworks for search operations, underwater infrastructure protection and cyber defense networks. Washington will join maritime exercises in December, while Beijing, New Delhi and Seoul plan separate drills under a bilateral format.
Saturday's expanded meeting brought together Asean countries with eight partner nations to reaffirm cooperation goals. Khaled characterized America as a security advocate, China as an economic driver and India as an innovation center, stressing that all partnerships must respect international regulations. He said the forum succeeded because it allows competing viewpoints to receive consideration rather than serving as ceremonial theater.
