NEW DELHI: India stands to get a totally free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and encourages freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, said defence minister Rajnath Singh in a multilateral discussion being attended with his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe on Wednesday.
In a digital speech in the Asean defence ministers-plus assembly, Singh said maritime safety challenges have been an area of concern for India.
“The sea turtles of communication are crucial for peace, stability, prosperity and evolution of this Indo-Pacific area,” he explained.
“In this respect, improvements in the South China Sea have drawn attention to the area and outside.
India affirms freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded trade in these global deserts,” he further added.
India expects the’code of behaviour’ discussions will result in results which are in keeping with international law, such as the UNCLOS, and don’t prejudice the rights and interests of both countries which aren’t party to such talks, ” he explained.
China continues to be flexing its muscles and demonstrating competitive behavior in territorial disputes in the South China Sea within the past couple of decades, which has resulted in heightened tensions with its allies in addition to the United States.
US secretary of defence Llyod Austin was also a part of their Asean virtual match on Wednesday, together with its own eight discussion partners — India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
Taking a swipe Pakistan too, Singh stated terrorism and radicalisation will be the gravest dangers to peace and safety the planet is facing now.
“India stocks international concerns regarding terrorism and considers that in an age when media amongst terrorists will be reaching significant proportions, simply through collective collaboration can the horror organisations and their systems become completely disrupted, so the perpetrators identified and held accountable,” he explained.
“Strong steps be performed against people who promote, support and fund terrorism and supply refuge for terrorists.
As a part of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), India remains committed to combat financing of terrorism,” he further added.
India’s involvement with the south west area, where Asean is a key element, relies upon its’Act East Policy’.