Why in news? India backs 2016 ruling favouring the Philippines in South China Sea.

Highlights:

• As negotiations continue between China and the ASEAN bloc for a code of conduct in the South China Sea involving 11 countries, India called for adherence to the 2016 arbitration decision in favour of the Philippines
• The Philippines had instituted an arbitration proceeding against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration under UNCLOS on 2013 but rejected by China
• China claims rights to most of the resource-rich South China Sea up to the nine-dash line, has become more assertive in recent years, leading to flare-ups in the region.