India’s plan for the Indo-Pacific places a strong focus on peacefully resolving differences: Army Chief
General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff, said on Tuesday that India’s view for the Indo-Pacific places a strong focus on respecting each country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amid rising international worries about China’s assertive military behavior in the area.
Gen. Pande further said that India’s commitment to actively engaging all players in the area has been steady and durable in a speech to a gathering of army commanders from Indo-Pacific countries.
According to him, the Indo-Pacific region should focus on peaceful conflict settlement, refraining from the use of force, and upholding international law.
The Army commander said, “We are witnessing manifestations of interstate contestations and competitions while efforts by countries are convergent towards a free Indo-Pacific.”
The Army commander also said that “challenges we face transcend across borders and our response to them must factor in this”.
Gen. Pande stressed the significance of the Indo-Pacific, saying it is a network of interdependencies rather than just a collection of countries.
We want to increase trust and foster teamwork, he added.
