India not party to dispute over areas of South China Sea, says Government

NEW DELHI: India is not a party to the dispute over sovereignty over areas of South China sea which is an issue between many countries in that region, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"Sovereignty over areas of South China Sea is disputed between many countries in the region. India is not party to the dispute," Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said in written reply.

Many countries including Vietnam and China have territorial claims over the areas of South China Sea, where an Indian Navy warship was reportedly warned by an apparent Chinese aircraft to move out of the area last year.

"Government has said that it supports freedom of navigation, right of passage and access to resources in accordance with accepted principles of international law and these should be respected by all," he said.

He said India wants that all these sovereignty issues should be resolved by the countries in accordance with international laws and practices.

To a query on infiltration from Bangladesh, he said, "The two sides are cooperating in identifying vulnerable patches along the border and taking appropriate steps to check illegal activities, including illegal movement across the border."

He said the issue is discussed regularly at relevant bilateral meetings including Joint Working Group on security, DG-level talks between the Border Security Force and the Border Guards Bangladesh.

"India and Bangladesh have signed a Coordinated Border management plan in July 2011 to address issues arising from illegal border crossings and incidents on the border and to enhance cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries," he said.