The Philippines and India will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week in the South China Sea where China’s aggression has caused alarm.
The joint drills, dubbed as “maritime cooperative activity,” will be held starting Aug. 3 as visiting Indian naval ships depart Manila harbor, said Indian ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, who spoke before Philippine national security officials, diplomats, defense attaches, and other guests, at a reception aboard the INS Shakti (A57) on July 31.
“This historic visit of the Indian naval ships and the upcoming maiden maritime cooperation activity collectively set a positive tone for the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India next week, underscoring the deepening partnership and expanding cooperation between our two nations,” he said.
Indian Navy ships guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D61), fleet tanker INS Shakti and anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan (P30) docked in Manila on July 30 for a port visit. Surveillance ship INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) is expected to arrive in Manila on Aug. 1.
“The visit of the Indian naval ships to the Philippines is a powerful testament to the enduring friendship and growing maritime cooperation between the two countries. It also symbolizes our shared commitment to the freedom of navigation and a free, open and rules-based Info Pacific region,” Jain said.
The Philippines and India, situated in strategically important regions, face comparable security challenges and are committed to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based region. In 2023, India joined other friendly nations urging China to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling that voided Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. described the upcoming “coordinated patrol” as “a clear demonstration of our mutual resolve to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold the law of the sea.” The Philippines has carried out similar patrols with the United States, Australia, Japan, France and Canada.
“As we stand watch over a region vital to global trade and security, we do not do so in isolation, but in partnership with nations who share our values,” he said.
Defense ties of the two countries deepened significantly in recent years through capacity building, education and training exchanges, and information sharing. The Philippines is the first overseas customer to receive the BrahMos missile system from India for a contract worth $374.9 million in January 2022.
