| Subject: |
India, ASEAN to discuss South China Sea dispute at Delhi meet |
|
NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of growing Chinese influence in South China Sea, India and ASEAN countries will discuss the evolving security architecture in the region, including in maritime and cyber space, during a two-day meet here beginning tomorrow.
"Yes, we will be discussing regional security architecture (with ASEAN countries), as well as South China Sea issues, maritime security, cyber security," Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs Anil Wadhwa told reporters here.
Asked specifically about South China Sea, which was witnessing growing Chinese influence and whether it would figure during the Delhi Dialogue VII, he said, "When we discuss security issues in the South China Sea, maritime security etc, obviously these issues will come up.
"The idea is to evolve a security architecture in the region... The code of conduct in South China Sea, which is engaging China in the ASEAN countries... All these issues will come up," Wadhwa said.
India has been always maintaining that there should be a freedom of navigation in the high seas and the territorial dispute in South China Sea should be resolved through dialogue. The territorial disputes in South China Sea involve both island and maritime claims among several countries within the region including China, Vietnam and Philippines.
To a question on military cooperation in South China Sea, Wadhwa said: "We have a cooperative approach to solving all security problems, that includes the South China Sea.
"Our aim is to make sure that an approach which is based on conciliation and on peaceful means of negotiation. So whatever means we adopt in the future will be with that aim in mind," he added.
On reports about China building artificial islands in the South China Sea, Wadhwa said: "As far as the countries of ASEAN are concerned, yes it is a concern for them. They have expressed this in the past. As far as India is concerned, our main concern is the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and also the rest of the world."
The theme of the two-day Delhi Dialogue VII is 'ASEAN-India: Shaping the Post 2015 Agenda' and the event will be inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
"It (event) comes at a time when our own foreign policy has entered a new vigour and dynamism as our erstwhile Look East policy was transformed into Act East Policy. Against this backdrop, we are hosting the seventh edition of the Delhi Dialogue," Wadhwa added.
Swaraj will deliver the keynote address on building connectivity between India and ASEAN and the future direction of India-ASEAN strategic partnership.
"We also have a dedicated business session this year which will have panel discussions on two themes -- ASEAN-Economic Community: Benefits for ASEAN and Indian industry focused on Make in India campaign; and on Trade and Services as Driver for future economic cooperation," Wadhwa said.
Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com
|