Vientiane
At the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) in Laos on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reinforced India’s commitment to resolving international challenges through dialogue. He emphasized that India has always advocated open communication and peaceful negotiation, particularly in areas such as border disputes and trade agreements. Singh pointed out that in the face of ongoing global conflicts, forums like ADMM Plus offer an opportunity for nations to discuss issues of cooperation and contest openly, fostering trust and understanding.
Singh also highlighted India’s stance on the Indo-Pacific, affirming that India supports freedom of navigation, lawful commerce, and adherence to international law in the region. He stressed that long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively and respect each other’s perspectives. This approach, Singh noted, is reflected in India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, which lays the groundwork for future cooperation.
On the ongoing discussions about the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, Singh emphasized that the code should not undermine the rights of nations outside the negotiations and should be consistent with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Defence Minister also spoke on global commons, stressing the importance of protecting shared natural resources for the prosperity of all nations. He offered condolences for Typhoon Yagi and highlighted India’s humanitarian efforts through Operation Sadbhav.
