KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 1 -- The Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) opened yesterday with little fanfare, a starkcontrast to the pomp and pageantry of the Asean Summit earlier this week.

There were no road closures or traffic holdups in the capital, and for most Malaysians, it was just anotherFriday.

Inside the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), however, the region's defence chiefs swiftly endorsed a record 20 initiatives within two hours, shaping the future of regional security.

A flurry of bilateral meetings also took place on the sidelines, including between Malaysia and India, as well as the signing of a defence pact with Timor-Leste.

The United States (US) and China also held talks, led by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth an...