India on Friday expressed support for the Philippines amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea due to China's aggressive actions in recent weeks. India stated its opposition to destabilising actions that aim to alter the status quo through force.
China has intensified its actions against the Philippines in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, particularly through the use of "gray zone tactics." Last week, a member of the Philippines navy was seriously injured when China's coast guard seized two Filipino ships on a resupply mission to an outpost on Second Thomas Shoal.
"We oppose actions that destabilise or attempt to alter the status quo through force or coercion... and we emphasise the importance of peacefully resolving disputes," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, during a routine media briefing, without explicitly mentioning China.
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In response to a query about tensions between China and the Philippines, he mentioned that India has consistently articulated its stance on developments in the South China Sea.
"We have consistently stressed the importance of following international law, upholding the rules-based order, and peacefully resolving disputes. Additionally, we advocate against any actions or approaches that could destabilise the region," he stated.
Jaiswal also underlined India's long-held position that the disputes must be resolved peacefully. "Other than that, we also believe that there should not be any incident or approach that destabilises the region," he said.
The Philippines has become an important strategic and defence ally for India in Southeast Asia. In April, India supplied the initial set of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and launchers to the Philippines, following a $375 million agreement signed two years earlier to outfit the Philippine Marines with three batteries of these weapons.
Previously, India had recognised the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling favouring the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. However, last year, India revised its stance, emphasising adherence to the arbitral award in a joint statement.
During a visit to Manila in March this year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar affirmed India's support for the Philippines in defending its national sovereignty and advocating for strict adherence to a rules-based international order.
The China-Philippines Conflict In The South China Sea
The ongoing conflict between the Philippines and China in the waters near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where both nations assert competing maritime claims. In 2012, China took control of the shoal following a standoff with the Philippines. Tensions have periodically escalated since then between the two sides regarding their territorial claims and the access rights of Philippine fishermen to the area.
Beijing persists in asserting sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea based on its "nine-dash line," despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that deemed this claim invalid. Alongside the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam also lay claim to portions of the sea.
China and the Philippines have exchanged accusations for several months regarding risky manoeuvres and collisions in the vicinity of the shoal, located approximately 200 kilometres (124 miles) west of the Philippine island of Palawan and over 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) from China's southern Hainan island.
(With inputs from Agency)