India has asked all parties involved in the South China Sea row to resolve the dispute through peaceful means without threat or use of force and show utmost respect to the verdict by a UN-backed tribunal. New Delhi's reaction came after the tribunal ruled that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to islands in South China Sea. <br/><br/>In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said that India supports freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. <br/><br/>The Ministry also said that sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development. It said as a State Party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UN Convention, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans.<br/><br/>Ruling out against China over its territorial claims in South China Sea, the Permanent Court of Arbitration concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas falling within the 'nine-dash line'.<br/><br/>China rejected the verdict as null and void as it asserts sovereignty over almost all of the strategically vital waters in the face of rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbours.<br/><br/>Philippines had lodged the suit against Beijing in 2013, saying after 17 years of negotiations it had exhausted all political and diplomatic avenues.