8 August 2015 – Philippine Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio delivered two highly successful lectures in New Delhi on 6 and 7 August 2015 on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea dispute.

The separate lectures, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in coordination with the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), were attended by members of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic corps, media, think tanks, academe and graduate students.

The audience was receptive to Justice Carpio’s comprehensive presentations and appreciated the “new information” on the Philippine perspective regarding the issue. Some Indian academics/think tanks also suggested that the Philippines and India come together to further discuss the matter as India has a “role” in the peace and security in the region. India’s interest in the topic was palpable as a member of Indian Parliament, Hon. H.K. Dua, was chosen to chair the ICWA lecture.

After Justice Carpio’s presentation at JNU, Indian scholars presented various papers in a seminar entitled, “Resistance and Tolerance: Emerging Responses to Chinese Beligerence in the South China Sea” including analyses on “India’s Geopolitical Interests in the South China Sea” and India’s reactions to Vietnamese, Malaysian, ASEAN and US stances. At the closing seminar at JNU, Professor Ganganath Jha congratulated the Philippines, describing her as a “mighty Republic” in her efforts to ensure the peace and stability in the South China Sea for ASEAN and also the world.

Justice Carpio also paid courtesy calls on the Supreme Court Chief Justice of India H.L Dattu, Ambassador Nalin Surie, Director-General of ICWA and Professor S.K. Sopory, Vice Chancellor of JNU.