New Delhi, May 10
Amid escalating tension between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea, India today expressed concern over the emerging situation over differing territorial claims in the region and urged both nations to exercise restraint.

''We have been following with concern recent developments involving China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Maintenance of peace and security in the region is of vital interest to the international community,'' MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in response to a question.

The spokesman said India would urge both countries to exercise restraint and resolve the issue diplomatically according to principles of international law.

The China-Philippines territorial dispute over the Scarborough Shoal, small islands in the South China Sea that both nations claim as their own, has generated intense tension between them.

A China Daily editorial echoed warnings in the state-run media that China was ready to use military might to crush the Philippines' claim over the shoal.

Since April 8, the two countries have anchored their non-military ships at the shoal as a means to assert their right and sovereignty. China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its territorial waters.

Earlier this week, China warned the Philippines not to "misjudge" its resolve over the disputed island, saying it was "fully prepared" to respond to any move by Manila to escalate the situation.

India has always maintained that territorial disputes in the South China Sea have to be resolved by the nations in the region diplomatically, though it has asserted that international shipping and navigation rights in the region should be upheld.

In recent months, India and China have also been engaged in a war of words over India's decision to undertake oil exploration in the blocks allotted to it by Vietnam in the South China Sea.