New Delhi
9 February 2007
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has reiterated that a
"polycentric security order" is imperative for a continent with as much political, economic
and cultural diversity as Asia. It is the answer to deal with the security challenges of the
21st century, he told the 9th Asian Security Conference.
He reminded his audience that a polycentric (generally defined as having many centres,
especially of authority or control) security order would be accommodative of the diversity
of the region. It would also be a reflection of the growing strength and confidence,
manifested either individually or through organisations such as ASEAN, of the various
economic and security players in the region.
"In today's increasingly inter-connected world, each participant has an equal stake and
responsibility. Only a pluralistic security order working through a network of cooperative
structures can have the legitimacy as well as the wherewithal to deal with the security
challenges of the 21st century," Mr Mukherjee said.
He was delivering the keynote address at the 9th Asian Security Conference on the topic
"Security Dynamics in Southeast Asia: Emerging Threats and Responses". The
conference was organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). Mr
Mukherjee is the president of IDSA. Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was the
chief guest on the occasion. Defence Minister AK Antony also addressed the gathering.
Mr Mukherjee is scheduled to meet with his Russian and Chinese counterparts for
tripartite talks in New Delhi next week. The spokeswoman of Chinese foreign ministry
has said the three leaders will exchange views on international and regional issues of
common interest during their meeting, and discuss cooperation in economic fields. "This
meeting will help the three countries to expand common ground and push forward
trilateral mutually-beneficial cooperation," she has said. Issues like the Iranian nuclear
standoff and the North Korean nuclear programme are expected to figure in the talks.
Mr Mukherjee rounded off his speech by observing 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."
"Encouraged by this we will continue to seek in our interaction with countries of the
region greater political and economic convergence, closer people to people links through
cultural cooperation and educational exchanges and meaningful security cooperation to
meet common challenges," he said.
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