PM Narendra Modi likely to focus on territorial integrity, freedom of navigation
Narendra Modi is expected to focus on safeguarding territorial integrity and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region during his September 6-7 Jakarta visit for the Asean Summit and East Asia Summit (EAS), in the backdrop of China's 'new standard map'.
Besides India, several Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, have protested China's new map which focuses on the South China Sea region, Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin. India had lodged a strong protest with China.
The PM is expected to send a message that territorial integrity of Indo-Pacific states must be safeguarded and pitch for inclusive nature of India's Indo-Pacific policy amid China's aggressive designs in the region, said people aware of the matter.
India's steadfast commitment to freedom of navigation through the South China Sea region, where tensions have been building up, will also be in focus, said the people.
The PM will also highlight India's agenda for the global south, with the Asean Summit taking place on the eve of G20 Summit in New Delhi.
In June, the PM had addressed a gathering at the G20 development ministers' meeting in Varanasi and stated that «development is a core issue for the global south».
«The countries of the global south were at the receiving end of the Covid pandemic.
That was followed by another blow in the form of the fuel, fertiliser and food crises because of geo-political tensions. We must ensure that no one is left behind,» the PM had said.
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