Jaishankar on South China Sea

At the 14th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the critical importance of the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) in the South China Sea for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. He called for a substantive and effective code of conduct to secure these maritime routes, which are essential for trade and logistics, while also respecting the rights of nations not involved in the discussions. Jaishankar's remarks were particularly significant given the presence of Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as tensions over China's maritime claims continue to rise with competing claims from several Southeast Asian nations. He reiterated India's commitment to ASEAN unity and its Act East Policy, and urged for de-escalation in Gaza and ongoing humanitarian support for Palestine. Additionally, Jaishankar stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy regarding the conflict in Ukraine.