Global waterways should be safe, unimpeded: Jaishankar, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila, emphasizing the need for global maritime channels to remain safe and unimpeded.
• India called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the West Asia/Gulf conflict and a political solution for the civil conflict in Myanmar.
• India will host two EAS activities: the seventh EAS conference on maritime security cooperation in Kochi and an EAS Maritime Heritage Festival in Lothal.
• India reiterated its support for a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine crisis and a legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea, compliant with UNCLOS 1982.
• India responded to Pakistan's remarks at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) regarding Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, condemning the "cynical exploitation" of the forum.

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Detailed Insights:

• The call for safe and unimpeded international waterways underscores the "uncertain and volatile" global order and the impact of multiple conflicts on the world economy.
• India's stance on the South China Sea emphasizes ASEAN centrality, regional stability, and a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• India's support for ASEAN efforts in Myanmar aims to find a political resolution to the conflict involving Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs).
• The commitment to "zero tolerance for terrorism" includes prioritizing collective action against transnational cyberscam centers.
• The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, is a water-distribution agreement between India and Pakistan for the Indus River system.
• Lothal, an ancient port city of the Indus Valley Civilization, is known for its dockyard and historical maritime trade.
• Kochi has recently hosted multinational maritime security exercises, highlighting its growing importance as a naval training center.

Key Concepts Involved:

• East Asia Summit (EAS): A premier forum for strategic dialogue among 18 countries in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on political, security, and economic challenges.
• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF): A key platform for security dialogue in the Asia-Pacific, established in 1994 to promote peace and stability.
• UNCLOS 1982: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international treaty establishing a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.
• Indus Waters Treaty: A water-sharing treaty between India and Pakistan, mediated by the World Bank, signed in 1960.
• Two-state solution: A proposed resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, envisioning two independent states.