Manila seems to have found a major ally in India in its territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In a roundtable interview with editors and staff of The Manila Times on Tuesday, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Lalduhthlana Ralte said New Delhi, like the Philippines, believes that the only viable and effective way to resolve the dispute is by subjecting the issue to international arbitration. South Asia’s use of international tribunals to settle maritime disputes, according to him, should be emulated in resolving the South China Sea dispute.

Valente, C. S. (2015, March 11). India backs Ph in China sea row. The Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.