“India firmly supports the Philippines”: EAM mocks China in reference to maritime conflicts

Days after a dangerous water cannon attack by Chinese ships severely damaged a Philippine vessel and wounded at least three navy personnel, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today that his country would continue to defend its sovereignty in parts of the disputed South China Sea that are part of its territory. Food and other supplies were being sent by the tiny boat to a South China Sea outpost of the Philippines.

Collaboration is essential

Reiterate emphatically that India supports the Philippines in maintaining its sovereignty. Countries like the Philippines and India must work together more closely as the globe evolves in order to influence the new order. — Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar

“I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its sovereignty,” Jaishankar said during a joint news conference. Jaishankar is in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, for a meeting with his counterpart Enrique Manalo. We also firmly believe that strict adherence to the UNCLOS rules-based system is optimal for the development and prosperity of our area.

Signed by 162 countries, including China, India, and the Philippines, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is recognised as the worldwide constitution for the oceans. “It must be followed by all parties in its entirety,” he said.

Jaishankar made reference to the UNCLOS without specifically stating it since China has rejected a UN decision on the demarcation of maritime borders in the South China Sea. Parts of the South China Sea that are inside Manila’s borders are now known as the West Philippine Sea.

“Countries like India and the Philippines must work together more closely to shape the emerging order as the world changes,” Jaishankar said, emphasising that India was “preparing to step up its engagement with the Philippines.”

Jaishankar was also supposed to pay a visit to Gilbert Teodoro, the defence secretary of the Philippines. India and Manila have agreed to sell India’s hypersonic missile, BrahMos. In the South China Sea, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei have been competing with one another, which is thought to be Asia’s next major hotspot for hostilities.