This frame grab from aerial video footage taken and released on March 23, 2024 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shows a vessel described by the Philippine armed forces as a China Coast Guard ship (bottom R) deploying water cannon against the Philippine military-chartered civilian boat Unaizah May 4 during its supply mission near the Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of blocking and firing water cannon at a Filipino supply vessel on March 23 off a remote and contested South China Sea reef. (Photo by Handout / ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES / AFP)
Speaking at a press conference, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said they are “strongly supportive of Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ “centrality, cohesion, and unity.”
“We are also convinced that the progress and prosperity of this region is best sought by staunch adherence to a rules-based order. [The] UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 is particularly important in that regard as the constitution of the seas,” said Jaishankar.
“All parties must adhere to it in its entirety — both in letter and in spirit. I take this opportunity to formally reiterate India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty,” he added.
‘Staunch advocates of safety at sea’
In the same press conference, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said both the Philippines and India are staunch advocates of safety at sea, freedom of navigation, and adherence to international law.
“This was evident during my visit in New Delhi in June last year and it was evident during our discussions today especially on recent actions of China in the West Philippines Sea,” said Manalo.
“Our countries have a shared interest in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Minister Jaishankar and I have decided to accelerate our maritime cooperation, with a planned Maritime Dialogue with India to be held in Manila following the successful Track Il dialogue in September last year which confirmed several promising areas for collaboration, especially in maritime domain awareness, shipping and seafaring, search and rescue, law enforcement and environmental protection,” he added.
Manalo noted that the defense industries of India continue to play a vital role in the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Other priority areas include education and training, as well as research and development in support of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture of the Philippines,” said Manalo.
Apart from India, 21 other countries have likewise aired its support to the Philippines following China’s aggression in Ayungin Shoal – Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, EU, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States.