Philippines, India hold first joint naval drill in disputed South China Sea

Philippines, India hold first joint naval drill in disputed South China Sea

India and the Philippines conducted their first joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, marking a significant development in regional military cooperation. The two-day exercise, which began on Sunday, has drawn attention due to its location in a disputed area that is claimed by China. The exercise is likely to heighten tensions with Beijing, which asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire waterway and has ongoing territorial disputes with both nations.

Philippine Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. stated on Monday that the joint naval activity took place within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He noted that while no incidents occurred during the exercise, there were signs of surveillance from unspecified parties, a situation he described as anticipated. According to the Philippine military, Chinese navy and coastguard vessels have previously observed such joint patrols from a distance.

The Indian navy participated in the exercise with several vessels, including the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi, the tanker INS Shakti, and the corvette INS Kiltan. The Philippines deployed two frigates: BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal.

This exercise coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming five-day visit to India, where he aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and explore collaboration in defense, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Brawner expressed hope for future joint military operations between the Philippines and India, describing the exercise as a demonstration of solidarity and partnership between two democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that maritime disputes should be resolved directly between the involved countries, rejecting any external interference. A spokesperson from the Southern Theatre Command described China’s recent patrols in the disputed waters as routine, while accusing the Philippines of disrupting regional stability through its “so-called joint patrol.”

In response to earlier reports of increased Philippine military cooperation with foreign powers, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense labeled the Philippines a “troublemaker” and accused it of aligning with foreign forces to provoke tensions in what China considers its territorial waters. A spokesperson for the ministry reiterated China’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and taking countermeasures against any perceived provocations.

The South China Sea serves as a critical shipping route, facilitating approximately $3 trillion in annual trade. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s expansive territorial claims lacked legal basis under international law, a decision that Beijing continues to reject.