Areas of resources like sea are becoming issues of conflict, says PM Modi

United Nations: In an apparent reference to the dispute in the South China Sea, which is witnessing increasing flexing of muscles by China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that important areas of resources like sea are becoming issues of conflict.

"Today, the seas, space and cyber space, which are common resources of prosperity have also become a new theatre of conflicts. The sea, which used to bind us now from the same sea we are getting reports of conflicts. The space which used be an opportunity for our achievements. The cyber, which used to connect us. Today, these important areas are appeared to be emerging as new areas of conflicts," Modi said in his maiden speech at the UN General Assembly here.

The Prime Minister's remarks assume significance in the backdrop of dispute in natural resource-rich South China Sea, which is witnessing territorial disputes between China, the Philippines and Vietnam among others.