US Reaffirms Ironclad Commitment to Asia-Pacific Security

United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis (fourth from left) meeting the Southeast Asian Defence Ministers on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue.

United States (US) Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen co-chaired an informal meeting with the Southeast Asian Defence Ministers today, on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue. 

During the meeting, Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the US' strong commitment to the region, as well as the role that the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy would play in contributing to an open and inclusive regional security architecture. He added that the US would continue to engage ASEAN and its Member States, and continue to play a strong role in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. 

The Southeast Asian Defence Ministers welcomed the US' continued commitment to and engagement of the region. Dr Ng expressed his strong support for practical cooperation between ASEAN Member States' and US' militaries, which would enhance the ties of kinship, trust, and confidence among the militaries. 

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in France and Indonesia, the Ministers also discussed the increasing terrorist threat, particularly the threat posed by returning foreign fighters to the region. They welcomed Singapore's ADMM Chairmanship thrust to enhance regional counter-terrorism cooperation among the militaries, including through greater intelligence and information sharing to better tackle the terrorist threat.