India is a synthesis of cultures: Sushma
‘India, Asean working for regional security’
In what is being seen as a clear message by the government, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told diplomats and other guests from south-east Asian countries on Thursday that India is “after all, a celebration of a grand synthesis of cultures, religions and languages of people belonging to different communities, who are bound into an inseparable whole by a civilisational consciousness and cohesiveness”.
This comes in the wake of concerns and doubts raised by Opposition parties on secularism and other issues during the current term of the Modi government.
In what is also being seen as an interesting comment in the backdrop of increasing Chinese military assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific, Ms Swaraj also said India has been working with Asean (the grouping of southeast Asian countries) “towards evolving regional security architecture in the Asia Pacific that hinges on emphasising the peaceful settlement of disputes, finding collaborative solutions to emerging and non-traditional challenges, and support for the centrality of Asean”.
In a keynote address on India’s ties with Asean at a function in New Delhi organised by foreign policy thinktank RIS, Ms. Swaraj said, “By working together to transcend their differences, Asean member states have become a unique example of how different nations can come together to weave a shared vision. In this sense, the Idea of Asean echoes India’s Unity in Diversity. India is, after all, a celebration of a grand synthesis of cultures, religions and languages of people belonging to different communities, who are bound into an inseparable whole by a civilisational consciousness and cohesiveness.”
On the issue of IndoAsean regional security architecture, Ms Swaraj said, “India has been working with Asean towards evolving regional security architecture in the Asia Pacific that hinges on emphasising the peaceful settlement of disputes, finding collaborative solutions to emerging and non-traditional challenges, and support for the centrality of Asean. Enhancing Maritime Cooperation and Security has been an area of focus for both Asean & India.” It may be recalled that China has maritime territorial disputes with a few Asean countries.
The minister also spoke about the ancient cultural and religious linkages that bound India with south-east Asia. “From the ancient period upto the 12th century, Hinduism as a way of life permeated South East Asia,” she said.