Hanoi (VNA) - Indian Defence MinisterRajnath Singh has emphasised the need to protect the rights of states that arenot party to negotiations between ASEAN and China for a Code of Conduct in theEast Sea (COC), according to the India’s The Hindu newspaper.

The newspaper quoted Singh as saying at the sixth ASEANDefence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in Bangkok that it is natural forthe international community to have an interest in open sea lanes ofcommunication. The minister expressedhope that the situation remains stable, without the use, or threat of use offorce, or militarisation of the region.

He also hoped that the outcomes of these talks would be inkeeping with all relevant international laws, including the United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and promote freedom of navigation,overflight and lawful commerce in the East Sea.

On the Democratic People’sRepublic of Korean issue, Singh said India looks forward to progress on theeffort to de-nuclearise the Korean peninsula through dialogue and to addressall related issues including “the proliferation trail that links South and EastAsia”.

The sixth ADMM Plus, themed “Sustainable Security”, recentlytook place in Bangkok with defence ministers from ASEAN member states andpartner countries namely Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea,New Zealand, Russia and the US taking part.

At the meeting, ministers highlighted the need to respectinternational law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and wished to reach an effectiveand practical COC./.