10 ASEAN leaders wants India to play a major role to tackle China
Written by : SMTV24x7 | Sat, Jan 27, 2018, 01:39 AM
The Ministry of External Affairs informed on Friday that all 10 ASEAN leaders have conveyed their desire for India to play a greater strategic role in Indo-Pacific– the region where China is flexing its muscles lately.
"All the leaders conveyed their desire for a greater participation of India (in the Indo-Pacific region)," said Preeti Saran, secretary, East, in the ministry of external affairs at a media briefing.
The leaders were in India to attend the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to celebrate 25 years of India-ASEAN ties. The leaders also attended the Republic Day parade.
The new demand by the leaders is significant as there is growing tensions between some of the ASEAN countries and China, which is enhancing its military and naval presence in South China sea.