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India and Brunei on Tuesday emphasised the need for a peaceful solution to the South China Sea issue through discussions as Vice President Hamid Ansari held wide-ranging talks with the top leadership here, with the two sides signing three agreements including on defence.
India and resource-rich Brunei were on the same page during discussions Ansari held with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and crown prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Secretary (East), External Affairs Ministry, Anil Wadhwa told media persons.
"Brunei briefed us on discussions taking place between ASEAN and China on evolving a code of conduct. They feel that the issue should not be internationalised to an extent where talks will reach a breaking point.
"We agreed to their view that ASEAN and China should proceed together on basis of consensus to evolve a code of conduct," he said.
During Ansari's visit to the fourth largest producer of LNG in the world, the two countries decided to boost defence ties by conducting joint military exercises and signed three agreements in the field of health, and youth and sports affairs, besides defence.
In the defence sector, the two countries agreed for bilateral cooperation through exchange of visits at different levels; exchange of experience, information, training and trainers; conduct of joint military exercises, seminars and discussions; and cooperation between the defence industries.
India is in favour of freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea region, rich in natural resources and a major shipping lane. Over half of the world's commercial shipping passes through the Indo-Pacific waterways including one-third of the world's liquefied natural gas.
China claims the South China Sea and 90 per cent of the islands including major shipping lanes that dot it. Brunei, along with other ASEAN members like Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam, has been also staking claims in the South China Sea.
India's plan to activate a new data reception and tracking station in Vietnam received flak from Chinese media which see it as an attempt by New Delhi to "stir up trouble" in the disputed region to serve its own ends.
Brunei has been advocating for full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to further build trust and confidence among claimants.
The two sides also discussed the menace of terrorism and on exchanging information to deal with it. "The use or misuse of technology in spreading terror was discussed and also the importance that should be attached for cooperation in this sector including exchange of information," the official said.
Image: Vice President Hamid Ansari meets Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah & Crown Prince Al Muhtadee Billah. Photograph: MEA/Twitter