Rajnath Singh.
– Photo: PTI
Expansion
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the regional security meeting in Laos on Thursday. Here he gave important messages to ASEAN countries on many issues including border disputes, trade agreements. Rajnath said that it has been India's commitment to resolve the border dispute through peaceful talks. During this, while referring to Buddhism, he said that India has always advocated dialogue to solve complex global issues.
The Defense Minister said, “India has been committed to peaceful talks. Our approach to global challenges like border disputes, trade agreements is clear.” “Open dialogue builds trust and lays the foundation for lasting partnerships,” he said.
Giving a message to China without naming him, Rajnath Singh said, “India believes that long-term solutions to global problems can be found only when countries respect each other's views. He said that polarization is increasing in the world. Therefore, the time has come to more deeply embrace Lord Buddha's principles of peaceful coexistence.
On the proposed code of conduct for the South China Sea, Rajnath Singh said that India is in favor of freedom of navigation, overflight and adherence to international law to promote peace in the Indo-Pacific region. He said that India would like to see such a code of conduct which does not adversely affect the interests of different countries. The Defense Minister stressed that any code of conduct should be completely in accordance with international law. He said, “This code must comply with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.”
India has been invited to the important meeting of ASEAN countries
Let us tell you that this meeting of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries is taking place amidst their ongoing disputes with China in the South China Sea. Regarding this, the countries included in ASEAN are talking directly to China in Laos. However, the countries outside ASEAN that have been invited to this meeting include India, Australia, South Korea and Japan.
Apart from the Philippines, which is included in ASEAN, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have disputes with China regarding the South China Sea. To raise these issues, other ASEAN member countries – Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Laos and Cambodia have come together and are holding meetings.
