India supports Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty: Jaishankar after Chinese "aggressive" actions in disputed South China Sea
Total Views |
New Delhi, Mar 26: "India firmly supports the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while he was on a visit to the Southeast Asian nation. This statement by Indian External Affairs Minister came after a water cannon assault by the Chinese coast guard that injured Filipino navy crew members and heavily damaged their boat in the disputed South China Sea.
Addressing a news conference here, Jaishankar said he held a very good discussion with his counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila. "I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India's support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty. As the world changes, it is essential that India and the Philippines cooperate more closely to shape the emerging model," Jaishankar said.
Further, he said, "Every country has the right to uphold and enforce its national sovereignty", he said in response to a question. "That is something that we have also discussed," he added. "There has been very perceptible growth in bilateral ties between India and the Philippines recently", the minister said.
The Philippines on Monday summoned the Charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in the country and registered strong protest over ‘aggressive actions’ by the Chinese coastguard in the South China Sea. The Philippine foreign ministry also directed its mission in Beijing to lodge a complaint with the Chinese foreign ministry. The ministry added the Chinese coastguard has no right to be in the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. It added that China’s move to interfere with the Philippines' routine resupply mission there last week was "unacceptable".
Though both the nations have been at loggerheads, the latest flare-up occurred after a vessel of the Chinese coastguard blasted a Filipino civilian boat with water cannon that was en route to the Second Thomas Shoal. The supply boat was significantly damaged in the incident, while the crew also sustained injuries.
Notably, China claims the South China Sea in its entirety to be its territory, and believes the Second Thomas Shoal, which lies in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), lies under its control.
China said the action it took against the supply boat was “necessary”. China's defence ministry on Sunday told the Philippines to cease "provocative actions" and comments that may lead to conflict and escalation.
China has deployed hundreds of coastguard vessels throughout the South China Sea to patrol what it deems its waters, despite a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in a case brought by Manila that said the claim had no basis under international law. China has refused to recognise that outcome.
What did Jaishankar say?
Addressing a news conference here, Jaishankar said he held a very good discussion with his counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila. "I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India's support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty. As the world changes, it is essential that India and the Philippines cooperate more closely to shape the emerging model," Jaishankar said.
Further, he said, "Every country has the right to uphold and enforce its national sovereignty", he said in response to a question. "That is something that we have also discussed," he added. "There has been very perceptible growth in bilateral ties between India and the Philippines recently", the minister said.
Philippines lodges its ‘strongest protest’ against China
The Philippines on Monday summoned the Charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in the country and registered strong protest over ‘aggressive actions’ by the Chinese coastguard in the South China Sea. The Philippine foreign ministry also directed its mission in Beijing to lodge a complaint with the Chinese foreign ministry. The ministry added the Chinese coastguard has no right to be in the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. It added that China’s move to interfere with the Philippines' routine resupply mission there last week was "unacceptable".
Though both the nations have been at loggerheads, the latest flare-up occurred after a vessel of the Chinese coastguard blasted a Filipino civilian boat with water cannon that was en route to the Second Thomas Shoal. The supply boat was significantly damaged in the incident, while the crew also sustained injuries.
Notably, China claims the South China Sea in its entirety to be its territory, and believes the Second Thomas Shoal, which lies in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), lies under its control.
China said the action it took against the supply boat was “necessary”. China's defence ministry on Sunday told the Philippines to cease "provocative actions" and comments that may lead to conflict and escalation.
China has deployed hundreds of coastguard vessels throughout the South China Sea to patrol what it deems its waters, despite a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in a case brought by Manila that said the claim had no basis under international law. China has refused to recognise that outcome.