Resolve disputes according to international laws: India, Indonesia on South China Sea conflicts | India News

NEW DELHI: Amid tensions in South China Sea, PM Narendra Modi and visiting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, and other lawful uses of the seas, including unimpeded lawful maritime commerce.
In a joint statement issued a day after their bilateral meeting, they also sought peaceful resolutions of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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They supported the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and look forward to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” said the joint statement issued a day after the bilateral meeting.
“PM Modi and visiting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto agreed to continue their combined efforts for safety of navigation in Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) through existing mechanisms to enable unhindered economic growth of the region,” it added.
The bilateral meeting on Saturday saw the heads of two states seeking stronger defence cooperation and the joint statement welcomed the ratification of the agreement concerning Cooperation in the field of Defence (DCA), expressing confidence that this would lead to further deepening of defence ties.
They also agreed to soon have a meeting of the defence ministers to discuss implementation of DCA.
India agreed to support the ongoing defence modernisation programmes of Indonesia through experience and expertise sharing. Both of them also strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in combating this threat through bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
They underscored the importance of strengthening global efforts to combat terrorism, including eliminating terror financing and preventing recruitment of terrorists, without any double standards. “Both emphasised the need for all countries to work collectively to deny safe havens and support networks to terrorist groups, in accordance with international obligations and commitments,” said the statement, calling upon all countries to take concerted action against UN-proscribed terrorist organisations and their affiliates.
“Recognising the evolving nature of security challenges, the two agreed to work together in preventing spread of online radicalisation and strengthening mechanisms to counter extremist ideologies,” it said.