India, Japan for resolving South China Sea dispute peacefully

At a meeting between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani here, the two countries called for stronger international partnership in combating terrorism due to its evolving character. They also decided to explore setting up of a maritime strategic dialogue between their Defence Ministers.

Parrikar and Nakatani recognised that security and stability in the seas connecting Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean were indispensable for peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

The ministers expressed concern over the recent developments in this regard, according to a statement released by the Japanese Embassy after the delegation level talks.

They reaffirmed the importance of respecting international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), for the peaceful settlement of disputes without any threat or use of force, and of ensuring freedom and safety of navigation and over-flight as well as unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters, it added.

In this context, they urged all parties to show utmost respect for the award of the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea under UNCLOS on July 12.

Meanwhile, Gen Nakatani also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on regional developments in East and Southeast Asia. During the call on, Modi condoled the loss of life of Japanese citizens in the terror attack in Dhaka earlier this month and called for greater bilateral and multilateral cooperation against terrorism, a PMO statement said. Nakatani briefed the Prime Minister on the bilateral defence cooperation initiatives, it said.