Written by Lisa Murimi
The Philippines and India have held their first joint naval sail in the South China Sea, a significant move in deepening maritime cooperation amid rising tensions in the region.
The two-day passage, which began on Sunday, took place within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. It coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s departure for a five-day state visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in defence, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and maritime cooperation.
Indian Navy vessels INS Delhi (guided missile destroyer), INS Shakti (tanker), and INS Kiltan (corvette) joined Philippine frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal in the exercise. The Indian ships had arrived in Manila on Friday as part of New Delhi’s broader Indo-Pacific engagement strategy.
Philippine Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner said the joint sail was proposed during his visit to India in March. “We did not experience any untoward incidents, but there are still those shadowing us, as we had already expected,” Brawner noted, alluding to Chinese presence in the area without naming Beijing directly.
In response, China’s foreign ministry reiterated that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved solely by the countries directly involved, opposing third-party intervention.
The Philippines has intensified maritime cooperation with allies and partners, including the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and Canada, since late 2023, seeking to push back against China’s sweeping claims in the region. A 2016 international tribunal ruling invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims, a verdict Beijing continues to reject.
The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most strategic waterways, with over $3 trillion in annual trade passing through its contested waters.
