India’s Minister of External Affairs (EAM) Subramaniam Jaishankar standing alongside the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo in Manila has reiterated New Delhi’s unwavering support for the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty.
The development comes amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea as aggressive actions taken by the Chinese Coast Guard against a Philippines boat near Ayungin Shoal on March 23 sparked international concern.
“I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India’s support to Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty,” stated S Jaishankar emphasising the importance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) formulated in 1982 as the cornerstone of maritime governance.
The South China Arbitration of 2016, which ruled in favour of the Philippines against China serves as a legal framework reinforcing the Philippines claim over the Ayungin Shoal and clarifying maritime entitlements in the region.
The Indian minister highlighted “We are also convinced that the progress and prosperity of the region is best served as by staunch adherence to a rules-based order. The UNCLOS 1982 is particularly very important in that regard as the constitution of the seas. All parties must adhere to it in its entirety in both in letter and spirit.”
In a joint presser, the Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo highlighted the harassment of the faced by the Filipino vessels near the Ayungin Shoal and underscoring the backing of over 20 countries emphasising the finality of the 2016 arbitral award.
Jaishankar outlined India’s maritime deployments in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to counter threats, including the Indian Navy Role in operations to rescue nationals of many countries, including the Philippines.
He said “I have briefed him about the Indian Navy deployments in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea to counter ongoing threats and he has spoken about the rescue of MV True Confidence by one of our ships named INS Kolkata and there have been several instances, I think since them MV Lila Norfolk as well as some crew from the Philippines.”
In advocating for a multipolar Asia, EAM Jaishankar called for closer cooperation between India and the Philippines in shaping the emerging global order. Discussions between the two sides were on several issues including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Indo-Pacific, Myanmar and Ukraine.
“We are both nations who value the autonomy of decision making and favour a multi-polar world with multi-polar Asia at its core,” affirmed Jaishankar. The Indian Minister of External Affairs is on a three-day visit to Singapore Malaysia and Philippines.
China claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, which is one of the worlds most crucial waterways for shipping. That has put it at odds with Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei which all maintain claims to islands, reefs, and undersea resources in the region.
