RAJNATH SAYS INDIA STANDS FOR A ‘FREE, OPEN INDO-PACIFIC
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said India stands for a “free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific” not just for the region’s development, but the entire world’s. His comments come at a time when there’s Chinese activity in the disputed South China Sea region.
Delivering the keynote address at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), Singh said dialogue was the only civilised mechanism for resolving disputes and disagreements, and creating regional or global order.
“In times when humanity is facing problems like climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic and widespread deprivation, it is essential we all work together to surmount these mammoth challenges .... ”
“Realpolitik cannot be the fig leaf for being immoral. Rather, enlightened self-interest of nations can be promoted within the framework of strategic morality, which is predicated on the understanding and respect for the legitimate strategic imperative of all the civilised nations .... ” he added.