Amidst the dispute over China's map, which has caused concerns in India and several neighbouring countries, including Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the critical importance of fully adhering to international laws during his address at the East Asia Summit. He stressed, "It is imperative to adhere fully to international laws, and everyone's commitment and efforts are necessary to strengthen the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries." Modi further commented, "The present global landscape is surrounded by uncertainties. Terrorism, extremism, and geopolitical conflicts are big challenges." He emphasised the importance of multilateralism and a rules-based international order in countering these challenges. This statement was made during Modi's address at the East Asia Summit, a prominent Indo-Pacific forum for strategic dialogue.