International waterways must remain safe and unimpeded: S. Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's address at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2024 underscores India's growing strategic emphasis on maritime security and its unwavering stance on bilateral disputes with Pakistan. The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum comprising 18 countries including ASEAN members, the US, China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, serves as a critical platform for discussing regional security architecture. India has been an active participant since the inaugural summit in 2005, consistently advocating for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar's assertion that 'attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping or infrastructure cannot be countenanced' comes against the backdrop of escalating threats to global shipping lanes — notably the Houthi militia attacks in the Red Sea since late 2023, piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and tensions in the South China Sea. These disruptions directly impact India's energy security and trade, as over 90% of its merchandise trade by volume moves via sea lanes. The Minister's remarks align with India's 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine articulated by PM Modi in 2015, which envisions cooperative maritime security. The strong rebuttal by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar's references to Kashmir and the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) at the same forum reflects India's long-standing diplomatic principle: bilateral issues must be resolved bilaterally, without third-party intervention, as enshrined in the Simla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999). The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, allocates the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan. While India has consistently upheld the treaty, it has recently signaled a review of its provisions — particularly after the 2016 Uri attack and 2019 Pulwama attack — citing Pakistan's intransigence on cross-border terrorism. Article 253 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to make laws for implementing international treaties, and the IWT's implementation falls under the Indus Waters Treaty Act, 1960. However, India maintains that the treaty cannot be a one-sided obligation while Pakistan sponsors terrorism — a position reiterated at the UN and other multilateral forums. This dual messaging — championing rules-based maritime order while firmly rejecting externalization of bilateral disputes — positions India as a responsible stakeholder in global governance. It resonates with India's candidature for a permanent UN Security Council seat and its leadership in groupings like the Quad and IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association). For competitive exams, this episode illustrates the interplay of international law (UNCLOS 1982, which India ratified in 1995), treaty obligations, and strategic signaling. Future implications include potential Indian naval deployments in the Red Sea under Operation Sankalp, continued diplomatic isolation of Pakistan on terror financing (FATF grey list history), and possible renegotiation or suspension of IWT provisions if security dynamics deteriorate. Aspirants must track how India leverages multilateral platforms to advance national interests while upholding international norms — a core theme in UPSC GS Paper II and international relations syllabi.