Indo-Pacific small island nations' climate concerns must be met, India says

NEW DELHI 

As extreme weather events become more frequent, the world needs to address the climate-related concerns of small island nations in the Indo-Pacific, India's defense minister said on Tuesday. 

"Extreme weather events and natural disasters have become a new normal rather than being exceptions and are major challenges in our region," Rajnath Singh said in his inaugural address at the 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference (IPACC) in New Delhi.

"It is our responsibility that the climate change-related concerns of small island nations of the Indo-Pacific are given the importance that they deserve, as these bear the brunt of climate change as an existential crisis," Singh added, according to a statement released by Ministry of Defense.

He also underlined that climate change also threatens the region's economic security.

"The economic impact of climate change and extreme weather create a demand for climate-resilient and eco-friendly infrastructure. There is a need to understand the compulsions and perspectives of all our partner nations as well as sharing expertise and resources," he said.

Turning to the geopolitics of the region, Singh said the Indo-Pacific had become a fully-fledged geo-strategic construct, rather than a maritime one, as the region faces numerous related security challenges, including boundary disputes and piracy.

He called for collective wisdom and concerted efforts to deal with the region's complexities, while tapping its full potential, to ensure a more prosperous, secure, and inclusive future.

Army chiefs and delegates from 35 countries were present at the conference that India and US were co-hosting. Its central theme was "Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region."

The conference will provide an opportunity for army chiefs and senior land forces commanders, primarily in the Indo-Pacific region, to exchange ideas and views on security and contemporary issues, with primary aim to promote regional peace and stability.