Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told the ASEAN that all nations have a responsibility to follow international law and norms on maritime issues, a statement that assumes significance in the context of China's maritime disputes with some southeast Asian countries.
"All have responsibility that we follow international law and norms on maritime issues as we do in realm of air," Modi told leaders of southeast Asian nations at the 12th India-ASEAN summit here in the Myanmarese capital.
Though Modi did not name any country but the comments may be seen as targeting China which is engaged in maritime territorial disputes with a number of its neighbours, including Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
During his recent US visit, Modi and President Barack Obama had pledged to intensify cooperation in maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation in comments that came against the backdrop of China's expanding maritime ambitions.
They had stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region especially in the South China Sea.
During his Japan visit as well, Modi had deplored the "expansionist" tendency among some countries which "encroach" upon seas of others, in oblique comments against China which also has a maritime dispute with Japan over islands in the East China Sea.
ASEAN comprises 10 countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
