AMN / WEB DESK
India has called for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific based upon respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
Addressing the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting at Siem Reap, Cambodia today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, New Delhi is concerned about complicating actions and incidents that have eroded trust and confidence and undermined peace and stability in the region.
Mr Singh said that India stands for the freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and adherence to international law. Rajnath Singh expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea will be fully consistent with international law. He also said New Delhi believes that regional security initiatives must be consultative and development oriented to reflect the larger consensus.
The Defence Minister highlighted how transnational and cross-border terrorism are the gravest threat requiring urgent and resolute intervention by the international community. Mr Singh had a word of caution that while terrorism continues to remain a big threat, other security concerns that have emerged in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic cannot also be ignored.