India is urging adherence to the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The ruling favored the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute and invalidated China's expansive territorial claims in the region. Here are the key points:

• The ruling declared that China's claims to historic rights and extensive maritime territory in the South China Sea have no legal basis.
• It stated that China violated the Philippines' sovereign rights by interfering with fishing and oil exploration activities.
• The ruling upheld the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines the rights and jurisdictions of countries in maritime areas.
• India supports the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of following international laws and peaceful resolutions.
• India's stance is in line with its Act East Policy, which seeks to strengthen partnerships and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

India's call for adherence to this ruling is aimed at maintaining a rules-based order, preserving peace, and safeguarding freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region.