In message to China, India and Malaysia call for utmost respect for UNCLOS

As China continues to vehemently protest Dalai Lama's upcoming visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India along with Malaysia Saturday emphasised that all nations show utmost respect to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)1982 for resolving maritime disputes.

The emphasis on UNCLOS in the joint statement issued after PM Narendra Modi's meeting with his counterpart Najib Abdul Razak is significant even though there was no specific mention of South China Sea (SCS) where China is embroiled in territorial disputes with several countries including Malaysia.

The meeting between Modi and Najib also saw the two countries signing as many as seven agreements including one on air services to enhance connectivity.

Modi and Najib, said the joint statement, reiterated their commitment to respecting freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

"They urged all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoid unilateral actions that raise tensions. They also emphasized that all parties should show utmost respect to the UNCLOS 1982, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and ocean," it said. This is significant because China has shown scant regard for an order by an international tribunal formed under UNCLOS last year invalidating its claim, which extends over almost all of South China Sea waters.

In his joint media statement with Razak, Modi too mentioned the importance of freedom of navigation and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, especially its oceans. Apart from maritime security, the two leaders also discussed at length the issue of terrorism and radicalisation.

The two leaders, according to the joint statement, reiterated their strong commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever. They also condemned in the strongest terms the recent barbaric terror attacks in the region, it said.

Malaysia endorsed India's position that countries cannot encourage and finance terrorism or extol the virtues of terror groups. "They asserted that the fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against States, which encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues. There should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs," it said. This again is significant in the light of the strife in Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani.

Najib also gifted a book on Malaysia's de-radicalisation programme to Modi. "We are willing to work closely together with the Indian government for special conference that will be held in near future," he said.

The two countries also agreed to enhance defence exchanges through regular dialogue at various levels, including between the Defence Ministers, senior officials, Chiefs of Services Talks and through military dialogue. Malaysia recently also agreed to waive off visa fee for Indians and has promised to make the process for acquiring visas simpler.


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