Manila: India and the Philippines have embarked on their first joint naval exercises in the contested waters of the South China Sea, a strategic region where tensions have been rising. The Filipino military confirmed the start of these exercises on Monday, marking a significant step in the military cooperation between the two nations. This move comes ahead of a state visit by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos to New Delhi, where he is scheduled to engage in discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Deutsche Welle, the Philippines deployed two frigates for the joint patrol, which commenced on Sunday afternoon and is currently ongoing. Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado informed news agency Agence France Press that the current activity involves “replenishment at sea.” The joint exercises are expected to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance maritime security in the region, though they may also provoke a reaction from China, which maintains extensive claims over the South China Sea.
The cooperation between India and the Philippines is anticipated to unsettle China, which asserts sovereignty over the entire South China Sea. In response to questions about China’s possible retaliatory measures, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Romeo Brawner noted that while no incidents occurred, the patrols were shadowed, a move they had anticipated. Brawner expressed satisfaction with the success of the patrols and expressed hopes for further joint maneuvers with India’s military in the future.
The Philippines has increasingly bolstered its military alliances following a series of confrontations with China in the disputed territories. The South China Sea, a crucial maritime route with an estimated $3 trillion worth of goods transiting annually, remains a focal point of international tension. Beyond the South China Sea, China is also engaged in a longstanding border dispute with India in the Himalayas.
Recently, China labeled Manila as a “troublemaker” for its alliances with foreign forces, criticizing it for inciting unrest in what China considers its territorial waters. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang reiterated China’s firm stance on safeguarding its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, warning of decisive countermeasures against any provocations by the Philippines.