Brunei on Tuesday held discussion with an Indian delegation led by Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea which has the potential to affect free maritime traffic in Southeast Asia.
“Brunei briefed us on the negotiation under way for the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea. India supports a negotiated settlement of Brunei’s maritime dispute with China,” said Mr. Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), following the conclusion of a bilateral defence agreement between India and Brunei. The pact is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted energy lanes between India and Southeast Asia.
An Indian military source in Brunei said the defence cooperation will provide both sides the institutional foundation for more collaborative work on maritime security and secure India’s energy lanes to Brunei.
Brunei’s main port, Muara — one of the main ports in Southeast Asia through which the bulk of the country’s oil and gas exports to India take place — is in the South China Sea region and will become a major component of India’s growing maritime partnership with Brunei. Sources tell The Hindu that India has taken note of the growing Chinese influence on Muara.
Mr Wadhwa said that the part of South China Sea that Brunei claims is largely “unexplored” and might contain hydrocarbon reserves vital for the country’s economy.
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