West Philippine Sea on regional agenda of India, PH bilateral talks

From InterAksyon (Oct 22): West Philippine Sea on regional agenda of India, PH bilateral talks

Because freedom of navigation and maritime security is as important to it as the rest of the Asian countries, India is taking up with Philippine officials the ongoing territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea as bilateral talks opened Monday with the arrival of its external affairs chief.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Manila's maritime row with Beijing is part of the regional agenda in the closed-door bilateral talks between DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario and Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. The latter is in town for wide-ranging bilateral talks with Philippine officials, and to grace the Rizal-Nehru lectures seeking to promote a better understanding in both countries of the other's foreign policy, among others.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in an ambush interview Monday, "Usually [they talk about] regional issues, and that [WSP dispute] should be included."

Earlier this month, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had strongly backed the pitch by several countries, notably the Philippines and Japan, in the recent 8th East Asia Summit to resolve the South China Sea issues through a collective consensus.Mr. Singh noted that a stable maritime environment, including freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in the South China Sea, is very important "to realize our collective regional aspirations." He urged all concerned to "affirm the principles of maritime security, including the right of passage and unimpeded commerce, in accordance with International law and peaceful settlement of maritime disputes."

China and India share borders and have had a long-running dispute in the Himalayas, which escalated last May following troop movements by China.India claimed Chinese troops had intruded nearly 20 kilometers into Indian-claimed territory.

The three-week standoff that ensued was resolved following talks between local military leaders and a withdrawal of troops from both sides.

In April 2012, China was embroiled in a similar stand-off with the Philippines after its maritime surveillance vessels blocked a Philippine government ship from apprehending a Chinese fishing boat caught poaching in the Panatag Shoal vicinity within the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone of Manila.

A month-long standoff ensued, and several countries, including the United States and European countries, expressed concern over the rising tension. The tensions abated after both sides agreed to withdraw their ships amid a strong storm in the region.

However, China's ships remained anchored in the area, blocking Filipino fishermen who for decades had been operating there.

Manila was subsequently forced to elevate its case before the UN Arbitral Tribunal, alleging that Beijing's territorial claims are excessive and violate international law.

India's Minister Khurshid arrived in Manila Monday for wide-ranging bilateral talks with the DFA chief.

New Delhi's government is also organizing a two-day seminar from Tuesday to Wednesday, on India's foreign policy and Philippine-Indian relations.

Officials from the Philippine government and the diplomatic corps, representative from the academe and think tanks, business chambers, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Scholarship Alumni, and university students are attending the seminar.

Khurshid will deliver the inaugural lecture of the “Rizal-Nehru Memorial Lectures” at the DFA on Tuesday.

The Rizal Nehru Lectures is a  joint undertaking of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), the DFA’s Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in the Philippines.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73197/west-philippine-sea-on-regional-agenda-of-india-ph-bilateral-talks