India-ASEAN Strategic Dialogue: Upholding UNCLOS and Maritime Order in the South China Sea
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India and ASEAN have reaffirmed their commitment to the 1982 UNCLOS as the definitive legal framework for maritime activities. The dialogue emphasized freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of disputes amidst rising tensions in the South China Sea.
In a significant move to bolster regional maritime security, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During a bilateral strategic dialogue, both parties emphasized that UNCLOS serves as the primary legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas, particularly in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
The reaffirmation comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, where unilateral attempts to alter the maritime status quo have threatened regional stability. By advocating for the 'freedom of navigation' and 'overflight,' India and ASEAN are signaling a collective stance against maritime assertiveness that bypasses international legal norms. For India, this alignment is a cornerstone of its 'Act East' policy and the 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative, which envisions a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
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