Climate of trust, non-aggression and peaceful resolution of differences key to ensure regional stability: Rajnath

Singh made the comments in presence of Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe. "Peaceful stable and secure region of SCO member states – which is home to over 40 per cent of the global population, demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other’s interest and peaceful resolution of differences," Singh said.

A climate of trust, non-aggression, sensitivity towards each other and peaceful resolution of differences are among key aspects to ensure regional peace and stability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday in an address at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here. His comments came in the midst of a fierce border row between India and China, both members of the SCO, an eight-nation regional grouping which primarily focuses on issues relating to security and defense.

In his address, Singh also referred to the Second World War and said its memories teach the globe the "folies of aggression" of one state upon another which brings "destruction" to all. Singh made the comments in the presence of Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe.

"Peaceful stable and secure region of SCO member states – which is home to over 40 percent of the global population, demands a climate of trust and cooperation, non-aggression, respect for international rules and norms, sensitivity to each other's interest and peaceful resolution of differences," Singh said. "This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War as well as the formation of the United Nations, which underpins a peaceful world, where international laws and sovereignty of states are respected and states refrain from unilateral aggression on another," he said.

The defense minister also talked about the threat of terrorism and extremism and pitched for having the institutional capacity to deal with the challenges. "I reaffirm today that India is committed to the evolution of a global security architecture which will be open, transparent, inclusive, rules-based, and anchored in international laws," he said.