Rule of law in Indo-Pacific crucial for economic development - India

NEW DELHI, Nov 25 (KUNA) -- India on Friday asserted that free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific is important for the economic development of the region and the wider global community. Indian Ministry of Defense reported quoting Defense Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue in New Delhi that India stands for free and rules-based Indo-Pacific as it is crucial for economic development of the region and wider global community. The Indian minister also stressed that dialogue is the only civilised mechanism for resolving disputes and disagreements, and creating regional or global order. Singh urged the international community to adopt trade and connectivity, capacity building and infrastructural initiatives as ways of working together since they are capable to function as bridges of friendship and ensure mutual benefit. "I reiterated that it has always been India's endeavour to work with its partners in constructive engagements in the Indo-Pacific region," Singh said and shed light on the 'Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative' launched during the East Asia Summit held in Thailand. He also highlighted the Indian initiatives he announced during the India-ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting held in Cambodia as an effective conflict resolution and lasting peace through a more humane approach. Singh stressed human equality and dignity, and moral responsibility to strive towards building a secure and just world and exhorted the international community to consider security as a truly collective enterprise in order to create a global order, which is beneficial to all. "Singh reiterated India's belief in a multi-aligned policy realised through diverse engagements with multiple stakeholders, stressing that addressing the concerns of all is the only way which can lead to shared responsibility and prosperity," a statement by the ministry said. He also stressed that India does not believe in a world order where few are considered superior to others. The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue is an annual international outreach program of the Indian Navy aimed at exchanging ideas and promote deliberations on maritime issues relevant to the Indo-Pacific. The three-day event saw participation from senior officials from the Indian Armed Forces, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, senior representatives from Indian industry, diplomatic representatives from missions in India, academia, eminent scholars and experts from abroad. (end) atk.hm