New Delhi, Nov 16 – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh affirmed India’s dedication to the principles of freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters, aligning with global norms. His statement, made during a meeting of the 10-nation ASEAN and its dialogue partners in Jakarta, comes in response to China’s escalating military activities in the South China Sea.
Singh emphasized the significance of dialogue and diplomacy in maintaining enduring global peace and stability, reiterating India’s stance that the current era is not one of war. He urged a shift away from the “us versus them” mentality.
The Defence Minister reiterated India’s commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters, in accordance with international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
Growing concerns have arisen globally due to China’s expansive claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea, a region rich in hydrocarbons. Various countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei, have counterclaims.
Singh addressed the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), describing terrorism as a severe threat to international peace and security. He called for coordinated efforts to address this threat.
The ADMM-Plus comprises the 10 ASEAN nations and eight dialogue partners, including India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States. Indonesia, as the current chair of ADMM-Plus, is hosting the meeting.
The Defence Minister advocated for consultative and development-oriented regional security initiatives that reflect a broad consensus among various stakeholders. Singh expressed India’s commitment to practical, forward-looking, and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM-Plus to enhance maritime security in the region.
India has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN since 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus took place in Hanoi in October 2010. Since 2017, ADMM-Plus ministers have convened annually to strengthen regional security cooperation.
