Jakarta

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reiterated India’s commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters in accordance with international laws, including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

In his address at the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta on Thursday, Rajnath Singh affirmed ASEAN’s centrality and appreciated its role in promoting dialogue and consensus in the region, Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

He called for regional security initiatives that are consultative and development-oriented to reflect the larger consensus among various stakeholders. Rajnath Singh committed towards nurturing practical, forward-looking and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM-Plus for enhancing maritime security in the region.

Recognising that terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security, including in the ASEAN region, India proposed to co-chair the EWG on Counter-Terrorism. This proposal was endorsed by ADMM-Plus as terrorism remains a serious concern to countries in the region.

He reiterated India’s commitment to work with ASEAN and Plus nations to ensure peace, prosperity and security, which is an apt theme for this year’s ADMM Plus. In his address, he cited Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote on peace there is no way to peace, peace is the only way.

He stressed that conflicts result in the loss of human lives and the destruction of livelihoods and disturb stability at regional and global levels. Rajnath Singh said that conflicts also have an adverse implication for food security, energy security, according to Ministry of Defence press release.