Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to Philippines

Source– This post on Washington’s “ironclad commitment” is based on the article “Blinken stresses ‘ironclad’ support for the Philippines” published in “The Hindu” on 20th March 2024.

Why in the News?

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored Washington’s “ironclad commitment” to help the Philippines.

This commitment was made in the backdrop of recent clashes between Chinese and Filipino coast guards in the disputed South China Sea.

These disputes are mainly due to China’s claim of “indisputable sovereignty” over almost all of the resource-rich South China Sea.

About Washington’s “ironclad commitment” under Mutual Defense Treaty

1. US’s Ironclad Commitment to the Philippines is backed by the Mutual Defense Treaty(MDT). MDT was signed between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America, in 1951.

2) The MDT, puts the obligation on both sides to come to aid of each other’s defense in case an external party attacks the Philippines or the US.

3) Therefore, mutual defense commitments of US under Article IV of the MDT would be invoked, in case there is any armed attack on Philippine. It includes attack on armed forces, aircraft and public vessels, including the Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea.

4) US’s “ironclad commitment” also extends to NATO Allies under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.

Read more: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

UPSC Syllabus: International relations (Treaties and agreements)