India, Philippines Hold First Joint Naval Drills in Disputed South China Sea

India and the Philippines held their first joint naval drills in the South China Sea, signaling stronger defense ties amid rising tensions with China.

India and the Philippines have carried out their first-ever joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, according to an announcement by the Philippine military on Monday. This development marks a significant moment in regional defense cooperation, as tensions continue to simmer over territorial claims in the resource-rich and strategically vital waterway.

The timing of the exercises coincides with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s official state visit to New Delhi. On Monday, Marcos departed for India, where he is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for high-level talks expected to deepen bilateral ties, including in defense and maritime cooperation.

Before leaving for the five-day visit, President Marcos publicly praised the strong partnership between the two nations, emphasizing their mutual commitment to upholding international maritime law. He specifically referenced the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which grants coastal nations the right to an exclusive economic zone extending 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometers) from their shorelines. Marcos described both countries as being “steadfast” in defending these internationally recognized norms.

The joint naval drills began on Sunday and are planned to run for two days. India sent three naval vessels to participate, one of which is the INS Delhi, a guided missile destroyer. These ships arrived in the Philippine capital of Manila late last week as part of a port visit ahead of the exercises. On the Philippine side, two naval frigates were deployed to take part in the operations.

According to Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado, a spokesperson for the Philippine military, the patrol operations began on Sunday afternoon and were still ongoing as of Monday. He explained that the current phase of the activity involved replenishment at sea, a complex maneuver where ships are resupplied while underway.

The joint naval operation is likely to draw criticism from China, which has long claimed nearly the entire South China Sea as its sovereign territory, a position rejected by an international tribunal ruling in 2016. Beijing has frequently responded with strong rhetoric and aggressive posturing whenever nations conduct what it sees as provocative activities in the region.

When asked about any Chinese response to the naval patrol, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner, confirmed that no hostile encounters had taken place but acknowledged that Philippine and Indian vessels were being shadowed by Chinese ships. He noted that such shadowing was anticipated, given the geopolitical sensitivities, but reassured that no untoward incidents had occurred.

General Brawner expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the operations so far and voiced optimism about the future of military collaboration between India and the Philippines. He said the Philippine military is hopeful that further joint exercises and engagements with India's armed forces will follow.

In recent years, the Philippines has significantly intensified its military partnerships with other nations, particularly in response to frequent and sometimes dangerous encounters with Chinese forces in contested areas of the South China Sea. This strategic shift is part of Manila’s broader efforts to bolster its defense capabilities and assert its territorial rights.

China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea have put it at odds not just with the Philippines, but also with several Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. The contested sea lanes are crucial to global commerce, with an estimated $3 trillion (€2.6 trillion) in trade passing through the area each year.

In addition to maritime tensions, China and India remain embroiled in a longstanding land border dispute in the Himalayan region, which has occasionally flared into deadly skirmishes between troops from both countries.

Last week, Chinese officials lashed out at the Philippines, labeling it a "troublemaker" and accusing it of aligning with foreign powers to challenge China's sovereignty in its so-called territorial waters. The Chinese Ministry of Defense reiterated its firm stance on safeguarding national territorial integrity and maritime interests. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated during a press briefing that China would not waver in responding to what it views as provocations and promised “resolute countermeasures” against the Philippines if such actions continue.