South China Sea: India and Philippines Conduct Inaugural Joint Naval Patrol

Manila: India and the Philippines have embarked on their first joint naval exercises in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, as confirmed by the Filipino military on Monday. The joint patrols symbolize a significant step in military cooperation between the two nations amid escalating regional tensions.

According to Deutsche Welle, the naval exercises coincide with the state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to New Delhi, where discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are anticipated. The Philippines has deployed two frigates for the patrol, which began on Sunday afternoon. Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado informed news agency Agence France Press that the current focus is on replenishment at sea.

The collaboration between India and the Philippines is expected to provoke a reaction from China, which asserts its claim over the entirety of the South China Sea. Addressing concerns about China’s response, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner mentioned that while there were no untoward incidents, their forces were shadowed, which was anticipated. Brawner expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the naval patrols and conveyed hopes for future joint maneuvers with Indian forces.

The Philippines has increasingly strengthened its military alliances following multiple confrontations with China in contested regions. The South China Sea, a strategic maritime corridor with annual shipments worth approximately $3 trillion, is claimed by China, overlapping with maritime zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Additionally, China is engaged in a longstanding border dispute with India in the Himalayas.

Recently, China labeled Manila as a “troublemaker” for aligning with foreign forces, accusing it of instigating issues in what China claims as its territorial waters. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang emphasized China’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, warning of resolute countermeasures against provocations by the Philippines.