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India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
We Support Freedom Of Navigational Overflight, Legitimate Commerce Through South China Sea: MEA
NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday reiterated its steadfast position on the South China Sea, asserting its support for freedom of navigation, overflight, and legitimate commerce through the region, which it views as part of the "global commons", noting that the stance is rooted in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During a special press briefing on the occasion of the state visit of the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, to India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India has a long-standing interest in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring that any disputes in the region should be resolved peacefully, without the threat or use of force, and through legal and diplomatic means. MEA Secretary (East), Periasamy Kumaran, highlighted that discussions on the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea should be effective, substantive, and inclusive of the interests of all stakeholders, including those not party to the negotiations. "Our position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. We consider the South China Sea as a part of global commons and we support freedom of navigational overflight in the region and legitimate commerce through the waters of the South China Sea. India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region, and our position is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982," Kumaran stated. "India also believes that any difference between the parties concerned should be resolved peacefully by respecting the legal and diplomatic processes and without resorting to the threat or use of force. We have also said that the discussions on the code of conduct that come out of these discussions should be effective and substantive and it should also take into account the interests of the parties which are not part of the COC negotiations. The PM himself had said in his joint statement that 'We support the freedom of navigation based on international law'; that broadly sums up our policy there," he added. This remark came following a statement by Spokesperson of China's People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command calling out the Philippines for organising "joint patrols" with "external countries", noting that these exercises undermine regional peace and stability. "The Philippines has been rallying an external country to interfere in the South China Sea by organising so-called "joint patrols", which undermine regional peace and stability. PLA Southern Theatre Command's forces remain on high alert, resolutely defending national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the Spokesperson said. The statement was a veiled reference to India recent joint naval exercise with the Philippines, where three Indian Naval Ships, INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan of the Eastern Fleet, took part for operational deployment in Southeast Asia. The exercise was led by Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon. India and the Philippines, in a Joint Declaration on the "Establishment of a Strategic Partnership", following Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Marcos meeting, have also reaffirmed their position on the matter, underscoring their commitment to upholding international law, unimpeded lawful commerce and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. Both nations also expressed concern over coercive and aggressive actions that threaten peace and stability in the South China Sea and called on all relevant parties to exercise restraint and commit to peaceful, constructive means of dispute resolution. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, while also supporting the enhancement of engagement under the ASEAN framework, the joint statement stated. Both countries also recognised the crucial role of the seas and oceans in supporting their development goals and shared challenges on maritime security as coastal and maritime nations in the Indo-Pacific. They exchanged views on regional maritime challenges, committed to sharing best practices, and pledged to enhance cooperation between maritime agencies and institutions for the peaceful and sustainable use of marine resources, including collaboration on maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding, coastal surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, pollution control, and search and rescue operations, as stated in the statement. The two nations expressed interest in greater participation in multilateral maritime exercises, including the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, India's Exercise MILAN, and the Philippines' Maritime Cooperative Activities and furthermore agreed to enhance security cooperation through regular dialogue and engagement on peacekeeping operations, cyber security, military medicine, critical technologies, and economic security matters. India and the Philippines also agreed to deepen cooperation under the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, aiming to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. They reiterated their shared commitment to working together on issues concerning the Global South, including through continued cooperation in the Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS).
News18
11-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
India Briefs ASEAN On Operation Sindoor At Key East Asia Summit Meeting In Malaysia
Last Updated: Secretary Kumaran also highlighted the role of the East Asia Summit in promoting peace, security, and stability across the Indo-Pacific region Periasamy Kumaran, Joint Secretary at Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday briefed senior officials from ASEAN countries on Operation Sindoor at the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting held in Penang, Malaysia. Kumaran attended the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting (EAS SOM) on June 10 and the ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials' Meeting (ARF SOM) on June 11. The meetings brought together senior officials from participating countries of both forums and were chaired by Dato' Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, Secretary General of Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the EAS SOM, Secretary Kumaran also highlighted the role of the East Asia Summit in promoting peace, security, and stability across the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasised the alignment between India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). He also expressed India's support for the proposed outcome documents for the 20th East Asia Summit and discussed regional and global issues with other members. Secretary (East) P. Kumaran led the delegation at the East Asia Summit Senior Officials' Meeting held in Penang, (East) underlined the important role of EAS towards promoting free, open, inclusive & rules-based Indo-Pacific as this premier leaders-led… — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 11, 2025 Secretary Kumaran invited all participating countries to take part in upcoming activities in India, including the EAS Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Energy Efficiency Policies under the Mission LiFE programme, and a conclave of EAS Heads of Higher Education Institutions at Nalanda University. At the ASEAN Regional Forum SOM, the focus was on reviewing past activities and planning future cooperation on issues such as terrorism, maritime security, and cyber security. Secretary Kumaran expressed India's concern over state-sponsored terrorism, referring to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. He explained that India's response through Operation Sindoor was measured, proportionate, non-escalatory, and responsible. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also noted that Secretary Kumaran took part in bilateral meetings with officials from Australia, Brunei, Malaysia, New Zealand, Korea, and Singapore during his visit. This engagement comes at a time when Pakistan is seeking to become a full dialogue partner of ASEAN through Malaysia. (With inputs from agencies)
