PM proposes 5 principles for maritime security coop | Economic Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday proposed five principles to set the roadmap for cooperation between nations for global maritime security, a move seen as a clear message to China's aggressive stance in South China Sea. Removal of barriers for maritime trade and peaceful settlement of disputes were part of the proposals from the Prime Minister who chaired the debate on "Enhancing Maritime Security - A Case for International Cooperation" via video conferencing. Modi highlighted that maritime routes were being misused for terrorism and piracy, stressing that oceans were the world's common heritage and sea routes lifeline of international trade.The meeting that saw participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin was meant to discuss ways to counter maritime crime and insecurity, and saw adoption of the UNSC outcome document on maritime security for the first time. As per practices, the “Presidential Statement” has to be adopted unanimously. Though the process was not smooth, with one P-5 country (read China) holding out till the very end, India’s negotiators were able to frame it in a language acceptable to all, without dropping reference to UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea which other P-5 countries insisted on retaining), ET has learnt. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to preside over a UNSC Open Debate.Elaborating the first principle, Modi said: "We should remove barriers for legitimate maritime trade. Global prosperity depends on the active flow of maritime trade. " The second principle, he said, was to ensure that the settlement of maritime disputes should be peaceful and based of international law. While China was not named, Modi's proposals can be viewed as a message against Beijing’s attempts to address South China Sea territorial disputes unilaterally and display of force disregarding international law. India and other countries have been worried that China’s actions in South China Sea could impede India’s maritime trade via this region.Modi said the third key principle was that the global community should together face natural disasters and maritime threats created by non-state actors.Preserving the maritime environment and maritime resources, and encouraging responsible maritime connectivity were the fourth and fifth principles enunciated by the Prime Minister.The Russian President has participated in UNSC debates only twice before, in September 2005 and September 2000. 85190569