Indian Council of World Affairs

1.  Northeast Asia is a region of strategic importance to India, given its deep engagements with countries in that region. India has a strong interest in promoting peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia, in order to create a more stable and predictable regional environment, including in the Indo-Pacific.

2.  There is wide-spread concern about the proliferation of nuclear technology and the repeated ballistic missile test launches by DPRK. These launches constitute a violation of the resolutions of the Security Council relating to the DPRK. They affect peace and security of the region and beyond. All countries should be urged to call for full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions relating to DPRK.

3.  There is a pressing need to address the proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to DPRK in our region. These linkages have adverse impact on peace and security in the region, including on India.

4.  All countries need to support denuclearisation towards peace and security in the Korean peninsula with renewed vigour. Ensuring peace and security in the Korean Peninsula is in our collective interest. Going forward, all stakeholders must continue to support dialogue and diplomacy as the means to resolve the issues in the Korean Peninsula.

5.  Given the disputes in the broader region over islands and waters, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any state. All states need to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability.

6.  Economic policy interests of the countries in the Indo-Pacific are intertwined, and deepening economic engagement among partners is crucial for continued growth, peace, and prosperity. We have to work together towards a free, open, fair, inclusive, interconnected, resilient, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that has the potential to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

7.  Northeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region has immense significance for global peace, security and prosperity. The QUAD members are dedicated to work with other regional nations to make the region safe and stable for all. Initiatives like the QUAD Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) contribute to this end.

8.  We may encourage countries to support the 'ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific'. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific has convergences with India’s Indo-Pacific vision and the IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative) which seeks to build a community of stakeholders by creating partnerships and has Japan, Singapore, Australia and Indonesia among others co-leading on specific themes of cooperation.

9.  Countries need to engage in dialogue and cooperation on specific issues of mutual concern, such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, transnational threats, public health, energy security, cybersecurity and climate change. This will help to build trust, confidence through confidence-building measures (CBMs), track-two diplomacy  and cooperation on a broader range of issues. India could share its best practices and experiences with countries in the region on these issues, as well as seek collaboration on joint projects and initiatives.

Thank you

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