India, China hold inaugural dialogue on maritime cooperation

NEW DELHI: Amid enduring tensions over the South China Sea, India and China today held inaugural round of talks on maritime cooperation.

The dialogue here covered a range of issues of mutual interest, including exchange of perspectives on maritime security and prospects for maritime cooperation between the two countries, the External Affairs Ministry said.

It said developments in international regimes such as UNCLOS ( UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) and IMO (International Maritime Organisation) also figured in the discussions.

The Indian delegation was led by Amandeep Singh Gill, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Chinese delegation was led by Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

The next round will be held in Beijing on a mutually convenient date, the MEA said.

The dialogue assumes significance as China has been critical of oil and gas exploration projects by Indian companies in the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons.

China has acrimonious relationship with a number of countries including Vietnam over the South China Sea.

India has been supporting freedom of navigation and access to resources in the South China Sea in accordance with principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

However, China has been inisisting on outstanding issues being resolved bilaterally.

India has been concerned over Chinese forays into the Indian Ocean and docking of its nuclear submarines in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.