Officials from the Philippines, Britain, and Canada affirmed today, at the Shangri-La Security Dialogue, that cooperation is essential for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including collaboration among countries outside the region.
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand noted that "Canada is keen on building a stable and balanced region," adding, "What does this mean? It means an Indo-Pacific region governed by international rules and norms, where all actors participate responsibly, conflicts are resolved peacefully, and ultimately, it is a free, open, and inclusive region."
Carlito Galvez Jr., the Deputy Minister of National Defense of the Philippines, pointed out that the rising competition in the region has increased the need to uphold the rule of law and pursue dialogue. He added, "As the saying goes, clear boundaries among neighbors lead to good neighborliness... Only when clear and respected borders are established among neighbors do relationships remain genuinely friendly."
For his part, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace affirmed that his country will continue its "alignment" with the Indo-Pacific region, mentioning that NATO's presence in Asia does not fall outside the norm given that Russia is "completely aggressive in this area and still maintains a massive naval fleet."
Their remarks echoed previous comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who emphasized that communication and cooperation, not just military force, are essential to keeping the region safe and stable.
