India warns against unilateral interventions such as in Libya and Syria

MUNICH: Warning against direct or indirect unilateral interventions such as in Libya and Syria, India asserted the need to strengthen processes of multilateral consultation to manage conflicts and reduce regional tensions.

"Unilateral (sometimes covert) interventions, as in Libya or Syria, have led to unexpected and dangerous outcomes," said National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon while addressing the Munich Security Conference on Global Power and Regional Stability here yesterday.

"We clearly need to improve, strengthen and use the processes and institutions of multilateral consultation and action available to to the international community," he said.

"In the Asia-Pacific, the process of building an open, inclusive security architecture based on a common understanding of the rule of law is at its very inception, and must be hastened," he stressed.

In the last fifty years, Asia-Pacific countries have shown the maturity and ability to manage conflicts despite major disputes and differences, he said.

Menon said that once stable regions like East Asia are no longer as harmonious as they were.

"Terrorism has globalised its reach and is fusing across regions, as Central Africa, Syria, Libya and Pakistan-Afghanistan show," he said.

Menon also referred to the Iranian nuclear programme, saying that progress had been made on the issue.

"India's primary interest is to create an enabling external environment for the transformation of India. That requires a peaceful periphery and a stable international environment which is supportive of India's security, growth and development," he said.

Menon said India seeks a reduction in regional tensions, wherever they may be, an open and democratised international order, and more effective and representative global institutions.