India backs 2016 ruling favouring the Philippines in South China Sea

Source: The post is based on the article “India backs 2016 ruling favouring the Philippines in South China Sea” published in The Hindu on 1st July 2023

What is the News?

India has asked China to abide by the 2016 arbitration decision, which had ruled in favour of the Philippines and rejected China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Background:

In 2013, the Philippines instituted an arbitration proceeding against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The arbitration tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines in 2016, but this was rejected by China, which had called it “null and void”.

China, which claims rights to most of the South China Sea up to the nine-dash line has become more assertive in recent years leading to flare-ups in the region.

What is the stand of ASEAN on the territorial claims of the South China Sea?

ASEAN does not have a common stance on issues related to China’s claims on the South China Sea due to differing views of its member nations.

What is India’s stand on the 2016 arbitration decision by the South China Sea?

India’s response in 2016 had been a cautious one, having merely “noted” the arbitration decision. This has remained India’s position till recently.

Now the joint statement issued by India and the Philippines marks the first time India has explicitly called upon China to adhere to the arbitration ruling, despite China’s persistent dismissal of its validity.