New Delhi: In a firm but veiled message to China, which was represented by its Premier Li Qiang at the East Asia summit in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi batted for the "positive agenda" of the four-nation Quad and the "central position" that Asean holds.
At the Asean-India summit also held in Jakarta on Thursday, the Prime Minister presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-Asean cooperation.
At the East Asia summit, the PM said, "The need of the hour is such that an Indo-Pacific, where international law, including the (1982) UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is equally applicable to all countries, where there is freedom of navigation and overflight and where there is unimpeded lawful commerce for the benefit of everyone".
The Prime Minister added that India believes that the code of conduct for the South China Sea should be effective and in accordance with UNCLOS and that it should take into consideration the interests of countries that are not directly involved in the discussions.
It may be noted that a code of conduct is currently being negotiated between the Asean bloc and China, with whom some of the Asean nations have maritime disputes. New Delhi is keen that its interests be protected in such a negotiation. The Quad is a four-nation arrangement that stands for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
"Asean holds a central position in the vision of Quad. The positive agenda of the Quad complements the various mechanisms of Asean… The present global landscape is surrounded by challenging circumstances and uncertainties. Terrorism, extremism and geopolitical conflicts are big challenges for all of us. Multilateralism and a rules-based international order are essential to countering them. It is imperative to adhere fully to international laws. Everyone's commitment and joint efforts are also necessary to strengthen the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries," Modi said in his remarks at the East Asia summit.
In a thinly veiled reference to the Ukraine crisis, Modi pointed out, "As I have said before, today's era is not one of war. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only paths to resolution".
A statement on promoting the region as an "epicentrum of growth" was also adopted at the summit that was attended by the 10-member Asean bloc besides China, Russia, the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
At the Asean-India summit, the Prime Minister presented a 12-point proposal for strengthening India-Asean cooperation covering connectivity, digital transformation, trade and economic engagement and deepening strategic engagement.
Modi also announced a decision to establish an Indian embassy in Dili, in the small nation of Timor-Leste, which is expected to become the 11th member of the Asean bloc. The Prime Minister also "called for enhanced cooperation on maritime safety, security and domain awareness" at the Asean-India summit following which "two joint statements, one on maritime cooperation and the other on food security, were adopted".
"Challenges pertaining to climate change, cyber security, food security, health, and energy are particularly impacting the Global South. During our G-20 presidency, we are focusing on these important issues related to the Global South," Modi said.
On the situation in Asean member nations and India’s neighbour Myanmar, the PM said, "India's policy in Myanmar takes into account Asean's views. At the same time, as a neighbouring country, ensuring peace and security on the borders and enhancing India-Asean connectivity is also our focus. Peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are in the interest of us all."
The Prime Minister said: "The 21st century is Asia's century. It is our century. For this, it is necessary to build a rule-based post-Covid world order and efforts by all for human welfare. The progress of a free and open Indo-Pacific and elevating the voice of the Global South is in the common interest of all."
Modi also emphasised the need to complete the review of the Asean-India free trade agreement in a timely manner. He added that Asean is the central pillar of India's Act East policy and India fully supports Asean's centrality and Asean's outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
