Indian Prime Minister Emphasizes Message on South China Sea During Southeast Asia Tour

During his recent official visit to Brunei and Singapore, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his hopes for the COC and called for promoting peace and stability in the East Sea.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, September 5. (Source: Indian Ministry of External Affairs)

Hope to get COC soon

According to the ETV Bharat website (India), in a strong message sent to China during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore (September 5), Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart Lawrence Wong reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, while pursuing peaceful solutions to resolve disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), without using force or threatening to use force.

In a joint statement issued after the visit, the two leaders emphasized the legal framework set by UNCLOS, within which all activities at sea and ocean must be carried out, and UNCLOS is the basis for determining maritime rights, sovereignty, jurisdiction and legitimate interests in maritime zones.

The two leaders expressed their hope that ASEAN and China will soon reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS, and without prejudice to the legitimate rights and interests of all countries.

In addition, both sides called on all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without the threat or use of force and to exercise self-restraint in taking actions that could escalate tensions in the region.

Recently, China's activities in the East Sea have caused concern and tension in the region and internationally.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (Netherlands) issued a ruling rejecting China's sovereignty claims in a case filed by the Philippines. However, China rejected the ruling.

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah welcomed Indian Prime Minister Modi to Brunei on an official visit on September 3. (Source: AP)

Respect for international law, including UNCLOS

The Economic Times newspaper published an article on September 5 stating that Prime Minister Modi also mentioned the East Sea issue during his visit to Brunei before going to Singapore.

At a reception hosted by Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, Prime Minister Modi stressed the need to respect “freedom of navigation and overflight.”

"We agreed that the COC needs to be finalized. We support a policy of development and not expansionism," Mr. Modi stressed.

The joint statement issued after the high-level talks between the two countries also stated: “The two leaders reiterated their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security as well as respect for freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce, in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.

The leaders also called on all parties to resolve disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.”

The statement said the two leaders reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to maintaining peace, stability, security, prosperity and resilience in the region, and stressed the importance of adhering to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law.

On defense, the two leaders acknowledged the importance of strengthening defense and maritime cooperation, including through regular exchanges of visits, training programs, joint exercises, and visits by naval and coast guard vessels between the two countries. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the regular port calls of their ships.

The above views of Prime Minister Modi, emphasized during his visit to two Southeast Asian countries, are of great significance in the context of tensions between the Philippines and China in the East Sea region.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-an-do-nhan-manh-thong-diep-ve-bien-dong-khi-cong-du-dong-nam-a-285208.html