Modi to send tough message to China [India’s concerns over Chinese dominance in South China Sea will be discussed at Myanmar summit] Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave on Tuesday for his longest trip abroad yet, travelling to Myanmar, Australia and Fiji, from where he will return on November 20. Mr. Modi’s packed schedule is both bilateral and multilateral, as he will attend the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-India Summit in Myanmar, the G-20 in Brisbane as well as a summit of Pacific Nations in Fiji. The over-riding message of the three-nation tour is clearly Mr. Modi’s “Look East, Act East” policy, as well as India’s assertion of its stakes in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. Maritime rights After tough messages to China made in Japan and the U.S., along with the naval defence initiative with Vietnam, The Hindu has learnt that Mr. Modi is likely to make a strong statement on maritime rights during discussions with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Meanwhile, officials confirmed that India’s concerns over Chinese dominance in the South China Sea “would be discussed threadbare” at the East Asia Summit in Myanmar, with a “reiteration of those discussions” during talks on the India-Australia strategic partnership. The two Prime Ministers will also discuss enhancing defence cooperation, with the first India-Australia bilateral maritime exercise announced for 2015. “These are areas where India has legitimate interests, with 55% of its trade going through the South China Sea. China has been trying to push us out of here, even as it makes inroads in the Indian Ocean. So it’s a do-or-die situation for us,” Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Srikanth Kondapalli said. In a statement, Mr. Modi said, “These meetings are taking place at a time of multiple global challenges. I look forward to seeking a global environment that supports our aspirations for economic development and a peaceful world.” Briefing reporters on Monday, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that Mr. Modi will have a structured dialogue with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Naypyidaw and meet President Xi Jinping at an informal meeting of BRICS leaders in Brisbane. Next, Mr. Modi will attend the first Indian summit with Pacific Island leaders in Fiji, also seen as a message of India’s stakes in these areas. “We have been participating in the Pacific region for a while with the island-states and we share a warm understanding. They look forward to our leadership role and support for policy, development assistance and capacity building,” Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa said. Along with his “outreach East”, Mr. Modi will have several engagements with the Indian diaspora, addressing at least 20,000 Indian-Australians at a Sydney stadium, and meetings with Fijian community leaders in Suva.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 21:13:25 +0000
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