The Philippines and India will conduct their first joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea next week, amid growing concerns over China’s aggression in the region. The drills, dubbed “maritime cooperative activity,” are set to begin on August 3 as visiting Indian naval ships arrive in Manila harbor.
The exercises come after India joined other friendly nations in urging China to respect a 2016 arbitral ruling that voided Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. Both countries share similar security challenges and are committed to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based region.
The joint patrols will be a demonstration of their mutual resolve to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold the law of the sea. The Philippines has conducted similar patrols with other nations, including the US, Australia, Japan, France, and Canada.
The increased cooperation between the two countries is part of a broader effort to strengthen their defense ties through capacity building, education, and training exchanges, as well as information sharing. India recently delivered the BrahMos missile system to the Philippines for $374.9 million in January 2022, marking a significant milestone in their defense partnership.
Source: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/08/india-and-philippines-to-launch-first-joint-maritime-drills-in-south-china-sea