Global waterways should be safe, unimpeded: Jaishankar
India's External Affairs Minister backed maritime security, ASEAN centrality, UNCLOS-based conduct rules for the South China Sea, a political settlement in Myanmar, and a two-state solution for West Asia at the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila.
- India treats secure sea lanes, seafarer safety, civilian shipping, and maritime infrastructure as essential to regional stability and economic security.
- India supports a substantive, effective, and legally binding Code of Conduct that complies with UNCLOS 1982 and protects the rights of all users.
- India backs ASEAN efforts and prefers a political settlement to the civil conflict in Myanmar.
- India follows a policy of zero tolerance for terrorism and warns that terrorist acts will have consequences.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar used the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila to set out India’s position on maritime security, regional stability, and conflict management. His remarks are relevant for UPSC because they connect India’s Indo-Pacific diplomacy with international law, maritime security, ASEAN centrality, and counter-terrorism.
What happened
Mr. Jaishankar said maritime channels must remain secure and free of interference. He stated that India will not accept attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping, or maritime infrastructure, and described the global situation as unstable.
The East Asia Summit statement can be used to test India’s maritime strategy, support for ASEAN centrality, the legal role of UNCLOS 1982 in the South China Sea, and India’s balancing of security, diplomacy, and strategic autonomy across the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
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