Indo-Pacific region isn't club of few members, won't gang up against China

India on Friday told China that it is for free and open Indo-Pacific region and does not believe in ganging up against Beijing in the area as the two countries held their second maritime affairs dialogue.

The revival of so-called quad — an idea of anti-China bloc containing the US, Japan, India, and Australia in the Indo-Pacific -- has worried China, which has become increasingly assertive in the international waters.

However, India sought to allay China's anxiety at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore where Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi "does not see the Indo-Pacific Region as a strategy or as a club of limited members".

He also talked about "freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law".

At the maritime dialogue in Beijing, India gave the same message to China.