India secretly attacks China and supports Philippines on maritime security issues

Jaishankar and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo in Manila

Manila:

Amid maritime disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India firmly supports the Philippines in safeguarding national sovereignty and hopes to explore new areas of cooperation, including defense and security.

Jaishankar’s remarks came amid a good discussion between him and his Manila counterpart Enrique Manalo.

“Had a warm and productive meeting with @SecManalo Philippines. Broad-ranging discussions on advancing relations in political, defence, security and maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, development cooperation, education, digital, technology, culture and consular areas discussion,” posted S Jaishankar on X.

A warm and productive meeting with you @SecManalo the Philippines.

Broad discussions were held on advancing relations in the areas of politics, defence, security and maritime cooperation, trade and investment, infrastructure, development cooperation, education, digital, technology, culture and consular… pic.twitter.com/NLf557FFs3

–PhD. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 26, 2024

The two sides also exchanged views on global, regional and multilateral issues such as the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, West Asia, Ukraine, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the United Nations.

“As two democracies committed to a rules-based order, we look forward to strengthening our cooperation,” he said.

Read | Philippines summons Chinese envoy over Chinese Coast Guard’s “aggressive behavior”

“I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India’s support for the Philippines in safeguarding its national sovereignty,” Jaishankar said at a joint press conference with Manalo.

As the world changes, India and the Philippines must work more closely together to shape the emerging world, he said.

In response to questions, he said that every country has the right to safeguard and enforce national sovereignty.

“That’s something we’ve discussed as well,” he added.

The minister said there have been very significant developments in bilateral relations between India and the Philippines in recent times.

Asked about India’s plans to expand defense cooperation with the Philippines amid developments in the South China Sea, Jaishankar said: “You need to look at the cooperation on its own merits. It is not necessarily linked to a particular situation.”

“But today, trust and comfort between the two countries have grown so fast that it is natural for us to consider various new areas of cooperation. Defence and security, of course, is one of them,” he said.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have all filed counterclaims.

China has deployed hundreds of coast guard vessels throughout the South China Sea to patrol waters it considers its own, despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case brought by the Philippines that the claim had no basis in international law.

Manalo said the Philippines has always reiterated the need to abide by international law and international rules and regulations on maritime issues.

Referring to Beijing’s recent activities in the South China Sea, he accused China of trying to prevent Philippine ships from supplying its troops.

“India and the Philippines have a very keen interest in ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the region. It is against this backdrop that we regularly hold extensive discussions on defense cooperation and security cooperation, primarily with India and the Philippines Have a broad discussion.” to support the rules-based international order,” Manalo said.

Jaishankar said every country is interested in maritime safety and security.

“In our case, it’s probably more than what many other countries would normally do,” he said.

Speech at a press conference @SecManalo the Philippines. https://t.co/OnvTzCjbjk

–PhD. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 26, 2024

“As I have noted, as our relationship develops, it is natural to focus on defense and security,” he said.

The partnership between India and the Philippines also has a larger context in terms of engagement with ASEAN.

“As a country deeply invested in the region, due to its Look East Policy and the Indo-Pacific region, India follows all developments with great interest. We strongly support ASEAN’s centrality, cohesion and unity,” he said.

Jaishankar said that as the two countries are about to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, he believes that there are more things waiting for them.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)