NEW DELHI: In a thinly-veiled reference to China’s aggressive and expansionist behaviour, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said countries should exercise self-restraint and refrain from taking actions that can complicate situations in the region.
Speaking at a virtual gathering of defence ministers of the 10-nation Asean and its eight dialogue partners, Singh said, “Threats to the rules-based order, maritime security, cyber-related crimes and terrorism, just to name a few, remain the challenges that we need to address as a forum.”
The gathering, which included Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe, came amidst the ongoing military confrontation between India and China in eastern Ladakh, which is now into its eight month without any signs of de-escalation.
“As we enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid ing actions that may further complicate the situation, will go a long way in bringing sustained peace to the region,” said Singh.
The minister emphasised on India’s call for an open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, based upon the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, peaceful resolutions of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws.
In the backdrop of China’s belligerent behaviour in the South China Sea, Singh reiterated India’s support to freedom of navigation and over flight for all in international waters in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Taking a swipe at Pakistan, without naming the country, Singh said “structures that support and sustain terrorism continue to exist, including in India’s neighbourhood” and called for strengthening international mechanisms to jointly fight terror.
“Amid the current regional environment with visible strains”, India appreciates the central role played by Asean-led forums in “promoting dialogue and engagement towards a pluralistic, cooperative security order” in Asia, he said.