Lines of communication across South China Sea are essential for peace in Indo-Pacific region: S. Jaishankar

Vientiane (Laos):

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday stressed the need for a substantive and effective code of conduct to secure the maritime lines of communication in the South China Sea, which he said were critical for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, amid growing concerns over China’s maritime coercion.

Speaking at the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Lao capital Vientiane, Mr Jaishankar said the EAS process will complete two decades next year and India will contribute to a stronger EAS process.

He said India would continue to uphold the unity and centrality of ASEAN through its ‘Act East’ policy.

Speaking about maritime security, Mr. Jaishankar said, “The Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) across the South China Sea are essential for peace, stability, prosperity and development of the Indo-Pacific region.” SLOC is a term describing the major sea routes between ports, used for trade, logistics and naval forces.

“The Code of Conduct must be substantive and effective, consistent with international law and must not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations not participating in the discussions,” he said.

Mr Jaishankar’s comments are significant as his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi is also in Vientiane to attend the summit.

The resource-rich South China Sea in the Indo-Pacific region is widely seen as a potential flashpoint for global conflict.

China claims most of the South China Sea as its own, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims to the maritime area.

The South China Sea provides shipping routes connecting Northeast Asia with Southeast Asia and West Asia.

Southeast Asian countries are trying to reach an agreement with China on a code of conduct to avoid confrontations in the South China Sea.

During the meeting, Mr Jaishankar also called for de-escalation and restraint in Gaza.

“India continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people,” he said.

He also expressed concern over attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. “India is independently contributing to ensuring the safety and security of maritime transport,” Mr Jaishankar said.

On the Ukraine conflict, he said India maintained the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve it.

“Prime Minister @narendramodi recently met President (Vladimir) Putin and President (Volodymyr) Zelensky. India is ready to contribute in any way possible,” he said in a message on X.

India remains a strong supporter of the ASEAN Perspective on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and appreciates its convergence with the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI).

India encourages more East Asia Summit (EAS) members to join IPOI.

“We have been consistently contributing to the EAS action plan,” he said, adding that Nalanda University is the realization of a significant commitment towards EAS, he said, referring to Bihar’s premier educational institution.

India appreciates the participation of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Voice of the Global South Summit organised by it last year.

“The EAS is essential to bring us together at a time when differences are deep and interests are diverse. India will always remain steadfast in its commitment to the EAS process,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)