• 8 months ago
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo in Manila, India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S Jaishankar reaffirmed New Delhi's steadfast backing of the Philippines in safeguarding its national sovereignty. This commitment emerges against the backdrop of mounting tensions in the South China Sea, following incidents involving the China Coast Guard's aggressive manoeuvres near a Philippines vessel close to Ayungin Shoal on March 23, eliciting widespread international apprehension.

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Transcript
00:00 Standing shoulder to shoulder with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo in Manila,
00:06 India's External Affairs Minister Dr S.J. Shankar reaffirmed New Delhi's steadfast
00:10 backing of the Philippines in safeguarding its national sovereignty.
00:14 This commitment emerges against the backdrop of mounting tensions in the South China Sea
00:18 following incidents involving the China Coast Guard's aggressive manoeuvres near a Philippines
00:23 vessel close to Iongin Shoal on March 23, eliciting widespread international apprehension.
00:29 "I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India's support to the Philippines for upholding
00:33 its national sovereignty," stated S.J. Shankar, emphasising the importance of adhering to
00:38 the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the cornerstone of maritime governance.
00:43 The 2016 South China Sea arbitration, which ruled decisively in favour of the Philippines
00:47 against China, stands as a crucial legal precedent bolstering the Philippines' rightful claims
00:53 over Iongin Shoal and elucidating maritime entitlements within the region.
00:57 The Indian minister highlighted, "We are also convinced that the progress and prosperity
01:01 of this region is best served by strong adherence to a rules-based order."
01:05 UN Clause 1982 is particularly important in that regard as the constitution of the seas.
01:11 All parties must adhere to it in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit.
01:16 In a joint presser, Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo highlighted
01:20 the harassment faced by Filipino vessels near Iongin Shoal and underscored the backing of
01:24 over 20 countries, emphasising the finality of the 2016 arbitral award.
01:29 Jai Shankar underscored India's strategic maritime presence in the Red Sea and Arabian
01:33 Sea, emphasising its role in countering various threats, including the Indian Navy's involvement
01:38 in multinational rescue operations, including those involving Filipino nationals.
01:42 Stressing the importance of a multipolar Asia, AAM Jai Shankar advocated for enhanced collaboration
01:47 between India and the Philippines in shaping the evolving global landscape.
01:51 Currently embarked on a three-country diplomatic tour encompassing Singapore, Malaysia and
01:55 the Philippines, Jai Shankar's visit underscores India's commitment to strengthening regional
01:59 partnerships and fostering a more stable and cooperative international order.
02:07 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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