Philippine and Indian Navies Commence First Joint Patrols in South China Sea

The Indian Navy has, for the first time, begun patrolling parts of the disputed South China Sea in coordination with its Philippine counterpart, according to a statement released by Manila’s military on Monday. The joint patrols began on Sunday, just a day before Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for a state visit to New Delhi.

Details of the Joint Operation

The two-day naval mission involves three Indian vessels, including the INS Delhi, a guided missile destroyer. These ships arrived in Manila for a port visit late last week, after which they immediately commenced joint patrols with the Philippine Navy.

According to Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado, “The patrol started yesterday afternoon, and it is ongoing at this moment… the activity currently taking place is replenishment at sea.”

Context of Strategic Cooperation

Over the past year, the Philippines has intensified defence collaborations with several allies following a series of maritime confrontations in the South China Sea. The region remains highly contentious due to Beijing’s sweeping claims, which extend over nearly the entire sea, despite a 2016 international ruling declaring China’s assertions legally unfounded.

India’s involvement in joint patrols signifies a growing alignment between the two nations, both of which have experienced tensions with China—India over border disputes in the Himalayas, and the Philippines over maritime confrontations

Marcos’s Visit to India

President Marcos’s trip to India is expected to include the signing of bilateral agreements in law, culture, and technology, as stated by Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs. However, the spotlight remains on whether defence-related agreements will emerge from the discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Before leaving Manila, President Marcos commended both nations for their “steadfastness in upholding international maritime law”, particularly citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees countries exclusive economic zones up to 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 kilometres) from their shores.

Defence Ties and Strategic Significance

The Philippines has previously acquired BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India. These missiles, jointly developed by India and Russia, can reach speeds of up to 3,450 kilometres (2,140 miles) per hour, making them one of the fastest in the world.

India is also a key member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a strategic coalition comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, widely viewed as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad was originally conceived by the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Summary Table of Developments

This joint maritime venture marks a significant milestone in Indo-Philippine relations and signals a broader regional strategy aimed at reinforcing the rules-based international maritime order.