India and the Philippines have conducted their first-ever joint naval exercise in the South China Sea, drawing a protest from China. The drill took place on Sunday and Monday within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, off the main Philippine island of Luzon.
The exercises included drills on air defense, communications, rendezvous operations, and maneuvering. The participating ships featured India’s INS Delhi guided-missile destroyer, Philippines’ BRP Miguel Malvar guided-missile frigate, and other vessels from both countries.
China condemned the drills, stating that disputes over territory and maritime rights should be settled through negotiation and consultation. China asserts sovereignty over most of the waterway but was recently advised against its claims by a Hague-based arbitral tribunal in 2016.
The joint exercise comes as India seeks to expand its engagement in Asia-Pacific and deepen ties with Washington and U.S. allies, including the Philippines. The Philippines has been pushing back against Chinese maritime forces’ activities within its territorial waters.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced an upgrade of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during a news conference on Tuesday. They pledged cooperation in areas such as defense, technology, climate change, and trade. This comes after the Philippines received India-Russia-made BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles worth $35 billion as part of its military modernization program.
The visit marks a significant development in India-Philippines relations and highlights the countries’ efforts to strengthen cooperation and address regional security concerns.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/photos-show-india-philippines-navy-china-claimed-waters-2109454