India Backs 2016 South China Sea Ruling; Stresses Peaceful Resolution, Freedom Of Navigation Under UNCLOS

Published 15 July 2026 · india

India Backs 2016 South China Sea Ruling; Stresses Peaceful Resolution, Freedom Of Navigation Under UNCLOS Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 07:38 IST India

India Backs 2016 South China Sea Ruling; Stresses Peaceful Resolution, Freedom Of Navigation Under UNCLOS Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 07:38 IST India reiterates support for freedom of navigation and peaceful dispute resolution under UNCLOS amid renewed international focus on China's maritime claims. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says India supports freedom of navigation under UNCLOS and reiterates backing for the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling on the South China Sea (Photo: AFP) India on Tuesday reiterated its long-standing position on the South China Sea, underlining the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with international law while reaffirming support for the landmark 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that rejected China’s expansive maritime claims in the disputed waters. Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position on the South China Sea issue remains “clear and well-known" and is guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “India’s position on the South China Sea issue is well known. We emphasise the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and unimpeded commerce consistent with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS," Jaiswal said. He added that maritime disputes must be settled peacefully in accordance with international law.

“We reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS, and reiterate that the award rendered 10 years ago by the arbitral tribunal is a significant milestone and the basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties," Jaiswal said. In response to another query, the MEA spokesperson also described the tribunal’s decision as “a significant milestone and a basis for the peaceful resolution of disputes among the concerned parties." REMARKS COME AFTER JOINT STATEMENT BY 14 COUNTRIES India’s comments came two days after the United States, the United Kingdom and 12 other countries issued a joint statement marking the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016, arbitral award delivered by the tribunal constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS. The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia and the Philippines signed the statement. The countries reaffirmed their commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and rules-based," while stressing that the tribunal’s ruling remains “final, legally binding, and definitive" between China and the Philippines on the maritime claims covered in the case. The joint statement also reaffirmed the tribunal’s conclusion that “there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, including those based on ‘historic rights.'" COUNTRIES CALL FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES The 14 nations urged all parties to resolve maritime disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms consistent with international law and UNCLOS.