India's another googly against China openly supported the Philippines

Amidst the tension between China and the Philippines, India has strongly supported the sovereignty of the Philippines. During his visit to the Philippines, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that in the new global scenario, India and the Philippines have decided to increase cooperation in the defence sector. Jaishankar discussed in detail with the Foreign Minister of the Philippines the current tension between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. In the press conference of both the foreign ministers, Foreign Minister Jaishankar also advised China in gestures to follow international rules. After meeting Philippines President Bonabong Marcos, he also gave the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is an interesting coincidence that during the visit of External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pehredar also reached Manila. Jaishankar also visited the Indian Ship. He wrote on social media along with his picture on the ship that his visit to the Philippines and the presence of the Indian Coast Guard Ship reflects the strong relations between India and the Philippines.

While the Indian Coast Guard is present in the Philippines, there is frequent conflict between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. On Saturday, when the Philippines Coast Guard was going to Ayungin Shoal Island with supplies on its ship, the Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia surrounded it from all sides. The Chinese coast guard caused considerable damage to the Philippines ship with water cannons. Three soldiers of the Philippines Coast Guard were also injured in the Chinese attack. After this incident, tension between China and the Philippines has increased significantly. The Philippines has also summoned China's diplomat and issued a warning.

There has been a long-running dispute between China and the Philippines regarding the border in the South China Sea. While the Philippines claims part of the West Philippine Sea as its own, China is trying to claim it as its own like all other parts of the South China Sea. China calls Ayungin Shoal Island in the South China Sea as Second Thomas Shoal. Interestingly, this island in the South China Sea is just 200 kilometres away from the coast of the Philippines whereas it is more than 1000 kilometres away from the coast of China.