India For The First Time Asks China To Follow The SCS Rules That Beijing Declares To Be Void

India and the Philippines on Thursday urged China to adhere to a legally binding 2016 decision that vehemently rejected China’s sweeping claims in its dispute with the Southeast Asian nation over South China Sea (SCS) waters, reinforcing the need for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

In a joint statement, foreign minister S. Jaishankar and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo, who jointly presided over a meeting on bilateral cooperation, emphasized the importance of peaceful dispute resolution and the observance of international law, particularly the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the SCS in this context.

Even though India has consistently supported UNCLOS, the treaty that established the Arbitral Tribunal, without reservation, the joint statement is significant because it marks the first time India has explicitly urged China to uphold the judgment that Beijing continues to claim is void. It follows a worsening trend in bilateral relations with China brought on by the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff, which has not yet been entirely resolved.

India’s initial response to the judgment in July 2016 was more reserved, as it encouraged all parties to uphold the UNCLOS, which, according to the government, established the global legal order of the seas and oceans.

The panel upheld the Philippines’ lawsuit against China and ruled that Beijing’s reclamation efforts in Philippine waters and its nine-dash line, which asserts authority over 90% of SCS waters, are illegal.

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With the Philippines taking into consideration India’s offer of a concessional Line of Credit to satisfy its needs, both countries are eager to advance their defense cooperation.
They agreed to continue working together in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, particularly on issues like climate change, sustainable development, and counterterrorism, according to the joint statement. ” They expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in ASEAN and at multilateral forums.