South China Sea: as India backs Philippines against Beijing, a different border issue looms large

If China is allowed to intimidate less powerful countries like the Philippines without criticism, analysts say, it could also become more combative in its other disputes, meaning India’s “interference” was likely aimed at boosting its own negotiating position in their shared border row.

During Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Manila late last month, he reiterated India’s support for the Philippines in “upholding its national sovereignty”.

Following his meeting with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Jaishankar said the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, or Unclos, was the “the constitution of the seas” and all parties “must adhere to it in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit”.

His comments came after the Chinese navy and coastguard had clashed with their Philippine counterparts in the South China Sea for several months, including the use of water cannons to disrupt the activities of Philippine boats.

On March 23, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to Jaishankar’s remarks, calling on “third countries” not to “interfere”.

Daniel Markey, a senior South Asia adviser at the United States Institute of Peace, said India was concerned about stability in the South China Sea as like most other regional economies, it relies on the unhindered movement of goods through the disputed waterway.

“However, India also sees this dispute through the lens of its bilateral competition with China. India perceives that if China can coerce less powerful regional actors to concede on maritime claims, Beijing will only be more aggressive in its territorial disputes with India,” Markey said.

Despite 22 rounds of negotiations on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the