India's Veiled Jab At China, Backs Philippines Over Maritime Security Concerns

India firmly supports the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty and wants to explore new areas of cooperation, including in defence and security, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, amid the Southeast Asian nation's maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea.

S Jaishankar's remarks came as he held a very good discussion with his counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila.

"Warm and productive meeting with @SecManalo of Philippines. Wide-ranging discussion on advancing ties in political, defence, security & maritime cooperation, trade & investment, infrastructure, development cooperation, education, digital, technology, culture and consular domains," S Jaishankar posted on X.

Warm and productive meeting with @SecManalo of Philippines.

Wide ranging discussion on advancing ties in political, defense, security & maritime cooperation, trade & investment, infrastructure, development cooperation, education, digital, technology, culture and consular… pic.twitter.com/NLf557FFs3

They also exchanged views on global, regional and multilateral issues including the Indo-Pacific, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), West Asia, Ukraine, Non-Aligned Movement and the UN.

"As two democracies committed to a rules-based order, look forward to intensifying our cooperation," he said.

Addressing a joint press conference with Manalo, Mr Jaishankar said: "I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India's support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty.

As the world changes, it is essential that India and the Philippines cooperate more closely to shape the emerging world, he said.

Every country has the right to uphold and enforce its national sovereignty, he said in response to a question.

"That is something that we have also discussed," he added.

There has been very perceptible growth in bilateral ties between India and the Philippines recently, the minister said.

On a question on India's plans to expand the defence cooperation with the Philippines amid development in the South China Sea, Mr Jaishankar said: "You need to look at that cooperation on its own merits. It is not necessarily linked to a particular situation.

"But