VIENTIANE: At the 19th East Asia Summit Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “this is not the era of war”, highlighting that dialogue and diplomacy need to be given priority. He also said the Summit is an important pillar of India’s Act East Policy.
“I come from land of Buddha, have repeatedly said this is not era of war; solutions to problems cannot come from battlefield,” he said.
Modi said that conflicts in different parts of world are having most negative impact on countries of Global South. “It is necessary to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, international laws,” he added.
In his address at the Summit, he also called for restoration of peace and stability in Eurasia and West Asia.
Further, he said a free, open, inclusive, prosperous and rule-based Indo-Pacific is important for the peace and progress of the entire region. Peace, security and stability of the South China Sea is in the interest of the entire Indo-Pacific region, Modi added.
Highlighting that approach should be one of developmentalism and not expansionism, Modi said: “We believe that maritime activities should be conducted under the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). It is necessary to ensure freedom of navigation and air space. A strong and effective Code of Conduct should be created. And it should not curb the foreign policy of regional countries.”
The East Asia Summit also comes a day after the PM announced a 10-point plan to strengthen India-ASEAN ties at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR. He is on a two-day visit to the country for the same.
The ASEAN grouping is one of the more successful examples of multinational organisations globally, with the 10 neighbouring countries leveraging their cultural and historical links for successful economic and political ties.
Modi on terrorism
Modi also termed terrorism as a “serious challenge” to global peace and security. “Terrorism is also a serious challenge to global peace and security. To face it, forces believing in humanity will have to work together,” he said.
At the start of his address on Friday, he also expressed his deepest condolences to the people affected by ‘Typhoon Yagi’, a tropical cyclone which has adversely impacted Southeast Asia and South China in September this year.