Against the backdrop of China’s row with East Asian nations over the South China Sea, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday advocated establishing of a “common set of principles” and “cooperative mechanisms” to deepen economic integration and ensure “open, inclusive and rule-based architecture” in the Asia-Pacific region.
Linking India’s security and prosperity to the Asia-Pacific region, he said, “Our vision for this region is rooted in cooperation and integration”.
Addressing the East Asia Summit of 18 countries, Dr Singh said the meet was “witness to important events and changes taking place in the Asia-Pacific region”. Speaking against the backdrop of sharp differences among East Asian countries over use of resources of mineral-rich South China Sea over which China lays sole claim, he said, “concerted effort and collective action on the part of the countries gathered in the region can strengthen mutual understanding and help us address shared challenges”.