Key focus will be freedom of navigation in maritime domain: PM Modi at ASEAN

The ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit was dominated by the Maritime cooperation, looking into the security situation in South China Sea (SCS), and terrorism amidst India’s decision to invite leaders of all 10 ASEAN nations for the Republic Day parade to celebrate 25 years of India-ASEAN partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised freedom of navigation, a crucial focus area for India's maritime cooperation with ASEAN countries.

Responding to this, the southeast Asian grouping jointly called for a comprehensive approach for countering cross-border terrorism and foreign terrorist fighters.

At the plenary session of the Summit, PM Modi said that India shares ASEAN’s vision for peace and prosperity through a rules-based order for the oceans and sea.

He further reinstated the commitment to work with ASEAN to enhance the practical cooperation in shared maritime domain adding that maritime cooperation is a key part of discourse throughout their commemorative activities.

On the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister said that India and ASEAN agreed to promote a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism by "disrupting and countering terrorists, terrorist groups and networks, including by countering cross-border movement of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters and misuse of internet, including social media, by terror entities''.

India and Asean also agreed to strengthen cooperation to stop terror financing efforts along with preventing recruitment of members of terrorist groups and support efforts in targeting terrorist groups and sanctuaries.

Reaffirming the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the region in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the two sides supported the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and shared that they are looking forward to an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).