#ModiInSingapore: Oceans, space and cyberworld should not become new theatres of contest

Amid a standoff between China and some East Asian nations over South China Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said oceans, space and cyberworld should not become "new theatres of contests" but be the avenues of "shared prosperity" and offered to work in this direction.

Delivering a lecture here, he talked about how India and China have kept their border region peaceful and stable despite the "unresolved issues", including the boundary question between the two countries.

"In the flux and transition of our times, the most critical need in this region is to uphold and strengthen the rules and norms that must define our collective behaviour," he said.

"...We must all come together, in East Asia Summit and other forums, to build a cooperative and collaborative future, not on the strength of a few, but on the consent of all," Modi said in his 20-minute '37th Singapore Lecture -- India's Singapore Story' -- soon after his arrival on a two-day visit.

In an apparent reference to the standoff between China and some East Asian Nations over South China Sea, he said, "India will work with countries in the region and beyond, including the US and Russia, our East Asia Summit partners, to ensure that our commons - ocean, space and cyber - remain avenues of shared prosperity, not become new theatres of contests."

The statement is significance as tensions are growing over South China Sea with the US now getting involved and China warning it to keep away.

Prime Minister Modi said India and China will engage constructively across the complexity of their relationship as two self-assured and confident nations, aware of their interests and responsibilities.

"Just as China's rise has driven the global economy, the world looks to China to help advance global and regional peace and stability," he said.

Noting that India and China constitute two-fifth of humanity and two of the world's fastest growing major economies, Modi said, "China's economic transformation is an inspiration for us."

"As it (China) rebalances its economy, and as India steps up the pace of its growth, we can both reinforce each other’s progress. And, we can advance stability and prosperity in our region," Modi said, adding that both the nations together can be more effective in addressing the common global challenges, from trade to climate change.

Prime Minister Modi also called for delinking terrorism from religion and said it does not just take a toll of lives, but can derail economies.

"Nations must cooperate more with each other. Societies must reach out within and to each other. We must delink terrorism from religion, and assert the human values that define every faith," he added.

Noting that terrorism's shadow stretches across societies and nations, both in recruitment and choice of targets, Modi said the world must speak in one voice and act in unison.

"There will be political, legal, military and intelligence efforts. But, we must do more," he asserted.

"Countries also must be held accountable for sanctuaries, support, arms and funds," he said.

Though he did not name any country, his mention about sanctuaries was an apparent reference to Pakistan where several terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Haqqani Network are based and nurtured by the establishment.