Addressing the festering maritime territorial dispute in the South China Sea, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India’s emphasis on upholding the rule of law was not against any country but meant to safeguard collective interests of all countries.

Though he did not mention China by name, the reference was obvious as Beijing is locked in a dispute with five other countries -- Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan -- each having over-lapping claims in the hydrocarbon-rich South China Sea.

The minister was speaking at the ASEAN defence ministers' meeting at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Barring Taiwan, the other countries locked in a dispute with China are members of the ASEAN where the minister was speaking.

He referred to the United Nations Convention on the Law o

See Full Page