Every nation must embrace Buddhist doctrine of peaceful co-existence: India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at ASEAN meeting…reports Asian Lite News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday pitched for the Buddhist doctrine of peaceful co-existence at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Loas.
“The Buddhist doctrine of peaceful co-existence must be embraced more closely by all the nations as the world is increasingly getting polarised into blocks and camps which is leading to increasing strain on the established world order,” said the Defence Minister while addressing the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Rajnath Singh added that India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
“India has always advocated and practised dialogue for resolving complex international issues. This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in India’s approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements,” the Defence Minister said.
He added that an open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships.
“The power of dialogue has always proven effective, yielding tangible results that contribute to stability and harmony on the global stage. India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other’s perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation,” the Defence Minister said.
He said that the ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities, adding that all through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region.
Citing a quote by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, while he visited South East Asia in 1927, the Defence Minister said, “Everywhere I could see India, yet I could not recognise it.”
The Defence Minister also stressed that the statement symbolises the deep and widespread cultural and historical ties between India and South East Asia.
Sharing his insights on the discussions on the Code of Conduct, Rajnath Singh said: “India would like to see a Code that does not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations which are not party to these deliberations. The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982.”
In view of the natural disasters wreaking havoc in different parts of the world, the Defence Minister said that it reminds of the perils of climate change while also complimenting the chair for choosing the most relevant topic in today’s scenario for the 11th ADMM-Plus Joint statement.
“Strengthening resilience to climate change in the defence domain requires multi-stakeholder engagement, from developing innovative solutions to managing the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes protecting vulnerable populations as well as safeguarding our defence installations,” the Defence Minister added.
He also highlighted the need to deepen the understanding of the interlinkages between climate change and threats to security while calling for developing an ADMM-Plus Defence Strategy on climate change.
Rajnath Singh also drew attention to the Global Commons – the shared natural resources and ecosystems essential to sustaining life and bringing prosperity on the planet.
He underscored the need to safeguard these Global Commons in a just and balanced manner by not resorting to unilateral actions.
“These resources provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend beyond national boundaries,” said the Defence Minister.
The 11th ADMM-Plus forum consisted of 10 ASEAN countries, eight Plus countries, and Timor Leste. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Laos General Chansamone Chanyalath.
Defence minister lauds Austin’s contribution
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on November 21, according to a release from the Ministry of Defence.
The two leaders praised the progress achieved in the India-US defence partnership, which is underpinned by enhanced operational coordination, information-sharing, and industrial innovation, the release noted.
“Both sides recognised the remarkable progress made under the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems,” the release stated.
The Defence Minister highlighted his recent successful visit to the US in August 2024, during which two significant agreements were signed – the Security of Supplies Agreement (SOSA) and the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the deployment of Liaison Officers.
“Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen the military partnership and interoperability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the release added.
Referring to the QUAD Summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 21, Singh stressed the importance of working together on agreed initiatives, including the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, and the launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project. These initiatives aim to support rapid and efficient civilian responses to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific, the statement said.
“Both sides affirmed their commitment to fostering defence innovation collaboration between the two governments, businesses, and academic institutions, as facilitated by the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem. They agreed to provide more joint challenges, funding opportunities, and visibility to drive this collaboration further. Both sides also committed to sustaining the momentum achieved over the last two and a half years through growing convergence in strategic interests and enhanced defence cooperation,” the release stated.
The Defence Minister expressed his gratitude to Secretary Austin for his lasting contribution to deepening and expanding the India-US defence partnership.
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh described Secretary Austin as a “great friend to India” and commended his exemplary role in strengthening the defence partnership between the two nations. He also extended his best wishes for Austin’s future endeavours.
“It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, Lloyd Austin. He has been a great friend to India. His contribution towards strengthening the India-US defence partnership has been exemplary. I wish him the very best in all his future endeavours,” Singh wrote on X. (ANI)
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