NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday favoured a "pluralistic security order" in Asia, based on a cooperative approach to security. Such a polycentric order would be accommodative of the diversity of the region, he stated.

Addressing a conference organised by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), he suggested that only such an order, working through a network of cooperative structures, would have the legitimacy of dealing with 21st century challenges.

India's perspective on cooperative security, he said, could only be looked at in a broader context going beyond Cold War notions of sub-regions.

"I am happy to note that there is a greater recognition today of India's stabilising role in the region born out of our restraint, our economic dynamism and potential, the history of our civilisational engagement and our role as a firewall against destabilising ideas and influences," he said.

According to him, Southeast Asia was the starting point of India's "Look East" policy. "ASEAN countries and India also have a convergence in security perspectives, a common interest in peace and stability in the region and in the maintenance of security of sea lanes and communication."

Mr. Mukherjee said the political and economic resurgence of Asia had been accompanied by the rise of powerful economic forces unleashed by globalisation and the trend towards regional integration.

"Since 1990, when our Look East policy was initiated, our trade with the countries of the region has grown from $ 8.1 billion to $ 67.5 billion and the share of trade with these countries in our global trade has increased from 19.4 per cent to 28.2 per cent," he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail