Japan Jan 17 pitched for stronger maritime security cooperation with India, saying both nations should "proactively" assume responsibilities to ensure "open and stable seas" in the region, comments seen as an effort to contain China's growing assertiveness in South China Sea. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said India and Japan have huge interests in the region extending from the Indian Ocean through the South China Sea to the Pacific and both the countries should work jointly under their "special partnership" to ensure maritime security. In an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs here, Kishida took a subtle dig at China on the South China Sea dispute and recalled Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's proposal of "three principles of the rule of law at sea" including not using "force or coercion" in trying to drive claims.
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