Delegates at the three-day Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's largest security summit currently being held in Singapore, have called on China and other claimant nations in the South China Sea to peacefully resolve their territorial dispute without threats or force.

Defense ministers from India, Malaysia and Britain discussed the South China Sea issue at the summit, expressing concern that the dispute could threaten their economic interests in the international waterway.

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Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar told the forum that several countries, including India, remain vigilant of the situation in the South China Sea.

"We have traditional links with the countries in the South China Sea - more than half of our trade passes through its waters," he said.

International law

Parrikar said that while India will not take sides in the maritime territorial contest, it will uphold the right to freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.

"While we do not take a position on territorial disputes, which should be resolved peacefully without the threat or use of force, we firmly uphold freedom of navigation and all flight in accordance with international law, in particular, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," he said.

India's Defense Minister warned countries in the region to recognize the freedom they have enjoyed over the past decades could be jeopardized all because of the aggressive behavior 'of any one of us.'

Around $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes through the South China Sea yearly. The disputed territory is also a rich fishing ground.

Besides China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the area.

Peaceful negotiations

British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon told the forum that although he is not taking sides on the South China Sea issue, China and all the claimants need to pursue actions only within the realm of international law.

"We urge the resumption of peaceful negotiations, including on a binding code of conduct on the South China Sea," he added.

The 15th Shangri-La Dialogue, which kicked off on Friday, June 3, is being attended by more than 560 delegates from 52 nations and regions, including 32 official delegations.

TagsShangri-La Dialogue, International Law, South China Sea, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, china