)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday seemed to take on China during an intervention at the ninth East Asia Summit, by advising nations to follow international law and settle their difference in the South China Sea.
"In a world of interdependence and globalisation, there is no option but to follow international laws and norms. This also applies to maritime security. For this reason, following international law and norms is important for peace and stability in South China Sea," he said.
Though Modi did not name any country, this could be perceived as a volley at China, which is engaged in maritime territorial disputes with a number of its neighbours, including Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines. The PM also said: "This also includes the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea, which should be the basis for resolving disputes peacefully. We also hope that the efforts to conclude a Code of Conduct on South China Sea by a process of consensus would be successful soon."
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was present at the daylong summit, along with US President Barack Obama and other world readers. Modi also said the world community must reject any link between religion and terrorism while formulating a "genuinely international" partnership in the fight against terror. He added the cyber space and space should remain sources of connectivity and prosperity, not new theatres of conflict.
"We support the East Asia Summit Declaration on the (terror group) Islamic State. At the same time, comprehensive response against terrorism requires a genuinely international partnership against all terrorism. Those who believe in humanity must come together. We should also reject any linkage between religion and terrorism," he said.
He also told world leaders that his government was trying to turn India's erstwhile "Look East" policy into an "Act East" policy.
"Look East" was introduced in the early 1990s when Congress leader P V Narasimha Rao was the prime minister. It was endorsed by former prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.
