Jaishankar stresses on adhering to UN convention in Indo-Pacific region

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday stressed on adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982, in the Indo-Pacific region saying agreements must be observed with no room for coercion.

The remarks were made by Jaishankar during a discussion on the global political situation at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meet in South Africa's Johannesburg.

“In the Indo-Pacific, it is important that international law -- especially UNCLOS -- is respected. Agreements entered into must be observed. And there must be no room for coercion,” he said.

Jaishankar's claim comes amid China's growing assertiveness in the region, particularly in the South China Sea. The foreign ministers of several countries, including China's Wang Yi, are part of the event.

China has been claiming the Nine-dash Line, an area which comprises a vast portion of the South China Sea. This claim is widely seen as inconsistent with the UNCLOS provisions.

UNCLOS, adopted in 1982, is a crucial international treaty, deemed as the "constitution" for the oceans, providing a framework for how nations interact with and use the seas.

On the Middle East, Jaishankar said India welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release. "We support humanitarian assistance, condemn terrorism, and advocate a two-state solution,” he said.

Jaishankar said India is ensuring maritime security in and around the Middle East since it is essential for normal maritime commerce. “Indian naval forces have contributed to that in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden,” he said.

The minister said it is important to maintain the ceasefire in Lebanon and ensure an inclusive Syrian-led, Syrian-owned solution. "Peace and stability in the region are vital for the entire world,” he said.