Marcos recognizes India's support to ASEAN in disputed waters
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is thankful for India’s support to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in ensuring peace, stability, and order in the South China Sea region which is claimed in whole by China and in part by the Philippines and neighboring countries.
(From left) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. (RTVM screenshots)
“Allow me also to begin by thanking India for supporting ASEAN during the last Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Meeting where India stood in solidarity with ASEAN, especially on our call to factually update paragraphs on the South China Sea in the NAM Ministerial Outcome Document,” he said in his intervention during the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The ASEAN-India Summit was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders on Thursday, Sept. 7.
Recognizing India’s influence in the ASEAN community, Marcos said ASEAN respects the constructive role of India in world affairs and its efforts to promote the rule of law as a major power in the region.
“We both envision a progressive Indo-Pacific that encompasses maritime cooperation to ensure sustainable use of maritime resources – particularly in tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, promoting the blue economy, and mitigating maritime pollution, among others,” he stressed.
China’s increasingly aggressive military activities, the latest was firing a water cannon on a Philippine sea vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea had been raising concern in the international community, prompting security allies like the United States to conduct maritime exercises in Philippine waters.
The Chief Executive also thanked India for hosting the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2023 which, he said, was an example of how cooperation between ASEAN and a Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Partner could promote “an open, inclusive, balanced, transparent, and rules-based regional architecture.”
The Philippines is looking forward to a productive partnership with India as it takes its turn to be the next country coordinator for ASEAN-India relations.
An assurance was also made on the delivery of concrete programs that would be beneficial for both regions and people.