External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India firmly supports the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty and wants to explore new areas of cooperation, including in defence and security, amid the growing maritime dispute between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea.

Jaishankar’s remarks came after his meeting with his counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila.

Addressing a joint press conference with Manalo, Jaishankar said, “I take this opportunity to firmly reiterate India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty. As the world changes, it is essential that India and the Philippines cooperate more closely to shape the emerging world.”

Every country has the right to uphold and enforce its national sovereignty, he said in response to a question.

There has been a perceptible growth in bilateral ties between India and the Philippines recently, he said.

Jaishankar also visited Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, which is in Manila Bay.China asks India to respect its claim over South China SeaChina on Tuesday urged India to respect its sovereignty claims over the disputed South China Sea where it is currently locked in a bitter row with the Philippines, saying that no “third party” will be in a position to interfere in maritime disputes between the two countries.

“Maritime disputes are issues between countries concerned and any third party is not in a position to interfere,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in response to a question.