New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for an open, inclusive and multipolar Indo-Pacific where countries can make independent choices, protect their interests and pursue development peacefully, emphasising the need for greater trust, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law amid rising strategic competition.
Addressing the maiden ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) in New Delhi, Singh said India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) shared a common interest in ensuring regional peace, stability and prosperity. He stressed that countries must keep channels of dialogue open and resolve differences peacefully before they escalate into disputes.
“India seeks an Indo-Pacific where all countries—large and small—make their own choices, protect their interests and pursue development in peace,” the Defence Minister said, calling for a regional order in which countries cooperate without being compelled to choose sides.
You Might Be Interested In
Singh said India’s Act East Policy, along with its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) visions, reflected its commitment to an open and cooperative regional order. He added that ASEAN-led mechanisms remained central to India’s Indo-Pacific approach.
Highlighting the challenges confronting the region, Singh cited strategic competition, tensions at sea, terrorism, cybercrime, piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, climate-related disasters and vulnerabilities in critical supply chains. He said these interconnected threats could not be addressed by any country acting alone.
Comments
0 commentsNo comments yet — be the first.