Manila: India needs to maintain its business relationship with Beijing, but on the other hand, it must also secure its borders. Additionally, India has to counter China in its neighbourhood. In this effort,

While Russia's war against Ukraine and a wavering transatlantic alliance drew the world's attention at this year's Munich Security Conference, sparks also flew over claims in the Sea as debate involving participants representing Beijing and Manila dug into their positions in the region.

Disputed South China Sea airspace that Beijing claims as its own falls within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where the Philippines and other countries enjoy freedom of overflight.