LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4832
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2022
INDIAN TRADE THROUGH SOUTH CHINA SEA
†4832. SHRI SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE:
Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:
(a) whether more than 50 percent of India's trade takes place through South China Sea and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any assessment has been made by the Government in this regard in view of recent decision of International Court of Arbitration and the subsequent approach adopted by China on South China Sea and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the manner in which the Government would ensure free and easy navigation of ships, operation of flights and uninterrupted trade through South China Sea;
(d) whether any deliberation has been made in this regard in bilateral meeting between India and China; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH)
(a) to (e) South China Sea is a major waterway and over US$ 5 trillion trade passes through the sea lanes in this region. As per information available, over 55% of India’s trade passes through South China Sea and Malacca Straits.
The Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the arbitration instituted by the Republic of Philippines against the People’s Republic of China delivered its Award on 12 July 2016 clarifying issues concerning maritime entitlements in the South China Sea.
India supports freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS. As a State Party to the UNCLOS, India urged all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.
***