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China, India, possibly Russia to sign non-aggression pact
Manila, Sept 29: Nuclear powers China and India and possibly Russia are to sign a non-aggression pact with Southeast Asia, laying the ground for managing potential conflicts in the region, Asean officials say.
Manila, Sept 29: Nuclear powers China and India and possibly Russia are to sign a non-aggression pact with Southeast Asia, laying the ground for managing potential conflicts in the region, Asean officials say.
They will be the first foreign powers to adhere to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) at the leaders meeting of the 10-member association of Southeast Asian nations (Asean) in Indonesia's Bali resort next week.
"Right now, only China and India are sure to accede to the treaty while Russia, which also wants to sign up, is awaiting approval from its Parliament," Asean spokesman M C Abad told a news agency. The United States, which is stamping its influence on the region through its fight against terrorism, is unlikely to follow suit as its activities may be constrained by the treaty, analysts say. Sundram Pushpanathan, Asean's head of external relations, said that by signing up to the TAC, "China and India will come into the inner circle of Asean," grouping Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
"This reflects the high level of commitment by China and India to the peace and security of the region and it will pave the way for greater engagements by them in regional political and security matters," he said.
One of the most important principles of TAC, adopted in 1976 by the core Southeast Asian countries worried then by the rise of communism, is the renunciation of the threat of use of force. Bureau Report
"Right now, only China and India are sure to accede to the treaty while Russia, which also wants to sign up, is awaiting approval from its Parliament," Asean spokesman M C Abad told a news agency. The United States, which is stamping its influence on the region through its fight against terrorism, is unlikely to follow suit as its activities may be constrained by the treaty, analysts say. Sundram Pushpanathan, Asean's head of external relations, said that by signing up to the TAC, "China and India will come into the inner circle of Asean," grouping Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
"This reflects the high level of commitment by China and India to the peace and security of the region and it will pave the way for greater engagements by them in regional political and security matters," he said.
One of the most important principles of TAC, adopted in 1976 by the core Southeast Asian countries worried then by the rise of communism, is the renunciation of the threat of use of force. Bureau Report