India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar, while standing alongside Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo in Manila, restated India's steadfast backing for the Philippines in safeguarding its national sovereignty on Tuesday.
This reaffirmation occurred against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the South China Sea (SCS).
"I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty," expressed Jaishankar, underscoring the significance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the fundamental framework for maritime governance.
The Indian minister emphasized, "We are also convinced that the progress and prosperity of this region is best served by staunch adherence to a rules-based order. UNCLOS 1982 is particularly important in that regard as the constitution of the seas. All parties must adhere to it in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit."
Jaishankar described India's naval activities in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea aimed at mitigating various threats. He specifically mentioned the Indian Navy's involvement in rescue operations, which have included citizens from numerous nations such as the Philippines.
"I also briefed him about the Indian Navy’s deployments in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea to counter ongoing threats. He has spoken about the rescue of MV True Confidence by one of our ships, INS Kolkata. And there have been some other instances, I think since then, MV, Lila Norfolk, as well which involved some crew from the Philippines” he noted.
In his push for a multipolar Asia, EAM Jaishankar advocated for enhanced collaboration between India and the Philippines to influence the evolving global framework.
The talks between the two nations encompassed a range of topics including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Indo-Pacific region, as well as developments in Myanmar.
"We are both nations who value the autonomy of decision-making and favour a multipolar world, with a multipolar Asia at its core," Jaishankar asserted.
Jaishankar is currently undertaking a three-nation tour, visiting Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.