India, South Korea and Japan discuss South China Sea

New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Noting that the South China Sea was witnessing "competing claims", India today strongly pitched for co-operation instead of competition in the seas and oceans at a trilateral meeting with Japan and South Korea. Asserting that India, Japan and Republic of Korea depend heavily on the Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs) for their energy security which are also the mainstay for trade and connectivity, Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs, said "there is indeed a compelling case for us to cooperate on maritime security." "India has a valued geostrategic location straddling the SLOCs. The Indian Ocean Rim is characterized by large Exclusive Economic Zones and unexplored and untapped marine resources. Similar potential exists for example in the South China Sea which today is witnessing competing claims. "Our common objective is to see that the seas and oceans become regions of co-operation instead of competition particularly as our energy security and trade depends on them. The primacy of our efforts must be to maintain maritime trade, energy and economic security in the seas around us. There is indeed a compelling case for us to cooperate on maritime security," he said while inaugurating the India-Japan-ROK Trilateral Dialogue. Singh said as "leading" democracies of the world, the shared values provide them similar perspectives and perceptions of the fast evolving regional and global environment. "Similarly, our strategic interests also coincide. We seek a peaceful and secure Asia free from the threats of terrorism, proliferation, piracy and conflict between states. There is common commitment to maintaining freedom of the seas, combating terrorism and promoting inclusive economic growth," he said. The trilateral was attended by Akitaka Saiki, Ambassador of Japan and Kim Joong-Keun, Ambassador of Republic of Korea among other senior officials and diplomats. The trilateral assumes significance in the backdrop of increasing Chinese influence in the South Sea and changing security architecture in East Asia. There is indeed a compelling case for us to cooperate on maritime security, Singh said. "From a nuclear security perspective as well, there can be significant cooperation amongst us as not only we need to deal with the conventional risks associated with nuclear power but also confront the risks of nuclear and missile proliferation in our neighbourhoods," the Secretary said while noting that "deepening cooperation amongst our defence and security establishments will promote our mutual security". PTI