Only Quad can ensure a free Indo-Pacific: S Jaishankar
India had for the first time last year, in a joint statement with the Philippines, unambiguously asked China to adhere to the legally-binding tribunal award Beijing has always called null and void. Before that, India had restricted itself to only calling for respecting the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), under which the tribunal was instituted.As they reassembled in Tokyo after the recent China-Philippines tensions, the ministers said they're determined to contribute to maintaining and developing the free and open maritime order consistent with UNCLOS in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, and for this purpose, to enhance collaboration with regional partners.
