New Delhi/Tokyo, Oct 6 (UNI) In the backdrop of India-China border standoff in eastern Ladakh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India remain committed to upholding the rules-based international order, underpinned by the rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Without taking the name of China, Dr Jaishankar made this remark during his opening speech at the second ministerial meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad in Tokyo without naming China.
The meeting focused on the issue of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour across the region.
‘‘As vibrant and pluralistic democracies with shared values, our nations have collectively affirmed the importance of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific,’’ Dr Jaishankar said.
‘‘Our objective remains advancing the security and the economic interests of all countries having legitimate and vital interests in the region. It is a matter of satisfaction that the Indo-Pacific concept has gained increasingly wider acceptance,’’ he said.
‘‘The Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative that we tabled at the East Asia Summit last year is a development with considerable promise in that context,’’ the minister said.
The meeting was also attended by Australian foreign minister Marise Payne, Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
Amid Covid pandemic, he said, ‘‘The fact that we are meeting here today, in person, despite the global pandemic, is a testimony to the importance that these consultations have gained, particularly in recent times. Our world is significantly different today than what it was when we last met in New York in September 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a profound transformation globally.’’
On India assuming membership of the UN Security Council next year, he said, ‘‘We look forward to seeking collective solutions to global challenges, including global recovery from the pandemic and reform of multilateral institutions.’’
Dr Jaishankar is set to hold separate meetings with Australian foreign minister Marise Payne and Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
UNI ASH SHK1728