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OPINION JUNE 21, 2024 | The Indian Eye 11

Malaysia’s call for a security ar-
chitecture that promotes coopera-
tion while preventing fragmentation
and exclusivity among member states
is a crucial step towards a more uni-
fied ASEAN.
Singapore advocated for prac-
tical measures to prevent further
conflicts in the South China Sea and
stressed the need to resume US-Chi-
na military exchanges. It also sup-
ported signing agreements in fish-
ing and hydrocarbons and endorsed
Germany and the EU as observers in
ADMM Plus.
Cambodia emphasized prevent-
ing escalation in the South China
Sea, upholding the five-point consen-
sus on Myanmar. To allay ASEAN’s
fears, it clarified that China’s role
in the Ream Naval Base is strictly
non-military.
Timor-Leste called for trans-
parent maritime security agree-
ments in the Timor Sea to counter
illegal, unreported, and unregulated China, in a display of power, reiterated that peaceful reunification with Taiwan is its paramount goal, sternly warning that “whoever dares to split
(IUU) fishing. It reiterated its goal of
achieving “2025 Formal Admission” Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer their destruction” (File photo/Agency)
as an ASEAN member.
over China’s behavior in the South lack of dialogue between the two na- Zealand, India can collaborate with
Fundamental Datapoints China Sea, particularly regarding tions, and contentious issues related AUKUS on Pillar II, enhancing its
from an External Power Taiwan and its growing closeness to Taiwan and the South China Sea— cybersecurity, artificial intelligence,
and undersea operations capabilities.
with Russia. It rejected the notion
fuel concerns about an inevitable
Perspective of an order based on “containment” confrontation in the South China Sea The scene has been meticulous-
he United States emphasized and highlighted the interdependence over Taiwan. On the second day of the ly set, with the region’s key players
the need to strengthen region- of all strategic theatres. The Europe- dialogue, Secretary of Defense Lloyd poised to execute their defined roles.
Tal defense industrial bases, in- an Union underscored its role as a J. Austin III delivered his remarks The outcomes of the dialogue are
tegrate Australian and Japanese air “Smart Security Enabler” in domains titled “The New Convergence in the apparent, as the discussions, which
and missile defense architectures, such as cyber, disinformation, and Indo-Pacific.” This convergence em- were rich and diverse across various
and launch an ASEAN Future De- maritime security, maintaining vigi- bodies a series of overlapping and sessions, were filled with political
fense Leaders Initiative. China’s lance over China’s support for Russia complementary initiatives and insti- platitudes: China’s “display of pow-
stance was marked by a strong rebuke amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. tutions driven by a shared vision and er,” the USA’s “balance of power,”
of the Philippines for destabilizing Japan advocated for advancing mutual obligation, emphasizing the and the “hedging through coopera-
the South China Sea, a call for the Multilateral cooperation with the free choices of sovereign states. tive mechanisms” by the middle pow-
expedited implementation of a Code United States, Australia, and the Notably, China, in a display of ers. The dialogue pinpointed the fric-
of Conduct (CoC), concerns over Philippines, enhancing Intelligence, power, reiterated that peaceful re- tion fueling regional insecurity, yet
Taiwan’s situation, and a highlight of Surveillance, and Reconnaissance unification with Taiwan is its par- the discourse on remedial measures
China-led forums globally. (ISR) capabilities, and developing amount goal, sternly warning that leaned heavily towards “crisis man-
South Korea’s stance includes critical technologies to counter grey “whoever dares to split Taiwan from agement,” lacking a direct reference
its apprehensions regarding Russia’s zone activities. New Zealand aimed China will be crushed to pieces and to the underlying issues they were
acquisition of weapons from North at reinforcing the Five Power De- suffer their destruction.” meant to address. Thus, the endur-
Korea, the escalating tensions on fense Arrangements, provided an Amidst these geopolitical ten- ing question from Shangri-La 2024
the Korean Peninsula, and the need overview of the completion of the sions, potential opportunities arise remains whether the Indo-Pacific
to uphold the existing rules-based P-8 mission related to North Korea for India to re-engage with ASEAN is genuinely prepared to confront
international order. On the other and highlighted potential opportuni- countries. It may be recalled that a its regional security challenges in a
hand, France’s stance emphasized its ties in Pillar-II of AUKUS. Canada recent survey by the ASEAN Studies manner that aligns with its implicit
support for counterterrorism part- underscored the growing strategic Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Insti- claims to leadership.
nerships, efforts to combat illegal, importance of the Arctic and prior- tute indicates that a portion of the
unreported, and unregulated (IUU) itized the Indo-Pacific in its defense ASEAN populace views India as hav- Dr Shushant VC Parashar is a Re-
fishing in the South Pacific, and the strategy. ing little political and strategic influ- search Fellow at the Centre for Land
strengthening and protection of unity ence in Southeast Asia. In addition, Warfare Studies (CLAWS). Previously,
among EU nations amidst the ongo- Key Takeaways for India references to MDA, HADR and the he worked as an Associate Fellow at the
ing conflicts. It also stressed the im- pivotal role of middle powers all add National Maritime Foundation (NMF)
portance of not supplanting the roles he United States and China to the potential increase in India’s
of international organizations like are striving to stabilize their role at a time when nations in the In- This article first appeared on
ASEAN and ensuring the implemen- Trelations, yet numerous fac- do-Pacific, especially the ones from the website (www.claws.in) of Centre
tation of international laws. tors—such as the upcoming U.S. ASEAN, are hesitant to side with for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi,
Australia expressed concern presidential elections, the persistent either of the big powers. Like New on June 16, 2024

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