called US-India Joint Strategic Vision for Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean Region. Just when they were expected to address the South China Sea (SCS) disputes in a more upfront manner, India and the US have quietly dropped a specific mention of SCS from their joint statement issued after the summit meet between PM Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama. This Vision affirmed the importance of "safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea".The latest joint statement issued Tuesday? While China has invoked UNCLOS provisions in the past to back its claims on the Senkaku/ Diaoyu islands in East China Sea, it believes the international tribunal set up under the same UNCLOS lacks jurisdiction over SCS disputes. says though that the leaders applauded the completion of a roadmap for the Joint Strategic Vision which, it adds, will serve as a guide for collaboration in the years to com.Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney says this implied collaboration on common interest issues, including SCS.

Source: Times of India June 08, 2016 07:00 UTC