The 9th edition of Delhi Dialogue began on 4th July in New Delhi by External Foreign Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj. On the second day of the event Sushma Sawraj indirectly targeting Bejien said that India’s intermingling with ASEAN has happened without any conquest and colonisation.
This remark is regarded significant as it comes amid the growing tensions on the borders of Sikkim, between India and China and also the prevailing issue of the South China Sea (SCS). Swaraj also emphasised on Freedom of Navigation and rules based for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. She also targeted China saying that India was building its partnership with ASEAN on the basis of strategies and requirements but it also respected the sentiments and unlike China did not encroach upon the territories.
Supporting the statement of Swaraj regarding the freedom of navigation Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Pham Binh Minh, urged India to play a major role in safeguarding the freedom of navigation (SCS). Vietnam comes up with this request because it has also been facing issues on the SCS as it is at the other end of China’s territorial claims in SCS.
During the event Sushma Swaraj focused on the areas of cooperation between India and ASEAN countries, describing them in terms of 3Cs- Commerce, Connectivity and Culture. She also spoke about the launch of GST, inviting the ASEAN countries to invest in India, as with the implementation of GST trade in India has become easier.