New Delhi: Indirectly referring to China, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday fought for freedom of navigation in international waters, including the South China Sea. Addressing the ASEAN Defense Ministers Plus Meeting (ADMM-Plus), Singh reiterated India’s commitment to ASEAN under the Act East policy and assured a continued engagement at bilateral and multilateral levels.

“Developments in the South China Sea have attracted attention in the region and beyond. India supports the freedom of navigation, overflight and unhindered trade in these international waterways,” Singh said.

“India supports the use of the ASEAN-led mechanism for the implementation of a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific; and calls for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific, ”he added. Singh’s comments come at a time when the global community is concerned about Chinese maneuvers in the South China Sea (SCS) and the increased presence of Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean region (IOR).

India, which honored the martyrs of Galwan just 24 hours ago, has been severely affected by Chinese expansionist designs along the northern borders.

India pledges to fight terrorist financing: Rajnath

In a context where the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) keeps Pakistan on the “enhanced monitoring” list for failing to comply with recommendations suggested by the terrorist financing watchdog, Singh said terrorism and radicalization are the most serious threats to world peace and security. , and India, as a member of the FATF, remains committed to the fight against the financing of terrorism.

“It is only through collective cooperation that terrorist groups and their networks can be disrupted,” he said. Singh participated in ADMM-Plus via videoconference. He also expressed concern about incidents of ransomware, malicious attacks and cryptocurrency theft and called for cooperation to ensure cybersecurity.