India and Philippines Launch First Naval Exercise in South China Sea

India and Philippines Initiate First Bilateral Naval Exercise Near the South China Sea

India and the Philippines have commenced their inaugural bilateral naval exercise, termed a “bilateral maritime cooperative activity,” in waters proximate to the South China Sea. The two-day exercise, which began on Saturday, marks a significant step in the deepening defense and maritime cooperation between the two countries. This activity is taking place near the Scarborough Shoal, a central location in the ongoing maritime dispute between the Philippines and China, reflecting the shared interests of India and the Philippines in maintaining freedom of navigation and regional maritime security[1][3][4].

Background and Context

The announcement and implementation of the exercise come at a time when both countries are increasingly focused on enhancing security collaboration in a region of growing geopolitical tension. The South China Sea is among the busiest waterways in the world and serves as a crucial conduit for international trade. However, it is also an area marked by overlapping territorial claims and contentious maritime boundaries, most notably involving China and several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines[1].

The location of the exercise, near the Scarborough Shoal, is particularly notable. The Shoal has been at the center of disputes and patrol confrontations, making the presence of non-claimant partners such as India symbolically and strategically important. India’s participation in the exercise underscores its growing commitment to working with Southeast Asian partners to uphold a rules-based maritime order and to support freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific[1].

Details of the Exercise

The “bilateral maritime cooperative activity” is scheduled for two days, focusing on joint operations, coordination drills, and interoperability between the Indian and Philippine navies. While official details regarding the participating vessels and operational specifics have not been formally disclosed, such exercises commonly include coordination of maritime patrols, search-and-rescue demonstrations, communications exercises, and tactical maneuvers designed to build trust and enhance maritime situational awareness[1].

A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India, issued ahead of the exercise, emphasized the growing cooperation between the two countries and highlighted India’s support for regional stability in accordance with international law. The MEA stated:

"India remains committed to maintaining maritime peace and security and to supporting our partners in upholding the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific."

The timing of the exercise coincides with the scheduled state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. to India, marking a period of intensive bilateral engagement[1].

Ships and Personnel Involved

While neither government has officially publicized the detailed composition of the fleets involved, such exercises normally include frontline naval vessels—such as guided-missile frigates and patrol ships—from both countries. The objectives include improving mutual understanding, operational compatibility, and the exchange of best practices in maritime security.

Tactical Objectives

The exercise focuses on several key tactical objectives:

• Enhancing interoperability between Indian and Philippine naval forces.
• Coordinating maritime domain awareness activities, which involve sharing information about ship movements and potential threats in the area.
• Conducting drills to improve joint capacity for search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
• Reinforcing adherence to international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Administrative Implementation and Announcements

The announcement of the bilateral exercise was made jointly by the Ministries of External Affairs and Defense in both New Delhi and Manila. The planning unfolded over several months of dialogue, during which the navies of each country coordinated the protocols, locations, logistical arrangements, and security clearances. Indian embassy officials, together with representatives from the Philippine Department of National Defense, worked jointly to facilitate the arrival, berthing, and operational logistics of Indian naval assets in Philippine waters.

The strategic coordination was managed through existing bilateral frameworks, specifically the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation and the Defense Cooperation Agreement, which serve as institutional platforms for defense dialogues between the two nations[1].

"The bilateral naval exercise reaffirms both nations’ dedication to strengthening their defense partnership and contributing to regional security," stated a joint release by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Philippine Department of National Defense.

Diplomatic and Staff-Level Engagements

The timing and profile of the exercise draw additional significance from the concurrent diplomatic engagements at the highest level. President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. is in the midst of a state visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His four-day visit includes formal discussions with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Health Minister J. P. Nadda. The visit is expected to yield several agreements covering security, health, and economic cooperation[1].

The naval exercise thus occurs in a larger context of diplomatic outreach, symbolizing a multi-faceted strengthening of relations between India and the Philippines.

Rationale Behind the Exercise

Sources within the Government of India indicate that New Delhi’s participation in this activity is driven by growing concerns about the security situation and the balance of maritime power in Southeast Asia, specifically the potential impacts of Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea[1]. India supports the principle of freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

The bilateral exercise also advances India’s Act East Policy, which aims to intensify economic and strategic ties with the nations of Southeast Asia, including enhanced defense and security cooperation[1].

Alignment with India’s Indo-Pacific Vision

India has articulated a vision for the Indo-Pacific that is “free, open, and inclusive.” Participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional partners such as the Philippines is seen as a practical expression of this policy. The inclusion of areas like the South China Sea, where critical international sea lanes converge, is especially significant from an administrative and diplomatic standpoint.

Philippine Objectives

For the Philippines, the exercise with India is part of a broader policy of engaging extra-regional partners to augment its maritime security capabilities and improve deterrence in contested waters. Manila has sought closer military and strategic cooperation with countries that share its interest in upholding international law and regional maritime stability.

Potential Administrative and Public Impact

The institutionalization of such bilateral maritime cooperative activities stands to bring several administrative, operational, and public benefits for both nations.

Administrative Impact

• Deepening of inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination between India and the Philippines in areas including maritime security, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian assistance.
• Creation of new communication channels and joint standard operating procedures (SOPs) relevant for maritime patrols, emergencies, and non-combatant evacuation operations.
• Enhancement of information-sharing mechanisms for maritime surveillance, early warning, and law enforcement.
• Development of training modules and capacity building for naval personnel in both countries.

Operational Significance

• Improved readiness and interoperability for responding jointly to maritime contingencies, including search and rescue, anti-piracy efforts, and response to natural disasters at sea.
• Establishment of a template for future bilateral and potentially multilateral naval exercises in the region.
• Contribution to the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific, supporting rules-based order and freedom of navigation.

Impact on the Public and Maritime Stakeholders

From a public perspective, enhanced maritime security cooperation translates into greater stability for commercial shipping, fisheries, and coastal populations in the affected regions. Indian and Filipino merchant shipping fleets can expect heightened monitoring of sea lanes, which can help mitigate threats from piracy or unlawful maritime activities. The exercise may also facilitate knowledge transfers and best practices in environmental and fisheries management, disaster risk reduction, and maritime governance.

Wider Regional and International Relevance

The India-Philippines exercise comes as several countries in the Indo-Pacific are strengthening defense ties and security collaboration to address evolving regional challenges. For India, such activities complement ongoing collaborations with other Southeast Asian and Pacific partners. For the Philippines, increasing engagement with external defense partners underlines its commitment to a diversified and resilient security posture.

While the exercise is bilateral in nature, it sends a signal about the readiness of regional democracies to cooperate on issues of shared interest, particularly the security of vital sea lanes. It also reinforces the role of regional institutions and legal frameworks—principally UNCLOS—in preserving stability and preventing escalation of conflicts.

Next Steps and Outlook

The successful conclusion of the two-day “bilateral maritime cooperative activity” is expected to set the stage for future exercises of increased scale and complexity, possibly involving other domains such as anti-submarine warfare, unmanned systems, and mutual logistics support. Both governments have signaled their interest in transitioning from one-off events to a more regular cadence of joint naval activities.

Speaking during his visit to New Delhi, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. welcomed Indian initiatives and emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation. This sentiment was echoed by Indian officials, who highlighted the event as part of a larger strategy to institutionalize maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific[1].

"This activity constitutes an important milestone in our bilateral ties and is an expression of our enduring commitment to maritime security," stated a senior Indian defense official.

Planned Institutional Developments

Both countries are likely to consider establishing standing working groups to review lessons learned and plan future activities. Discussions during the current high-level visit will focus on areas for expansion, including technology collaboration, defense industrial partnerships, and enhanced maritime surveillance mechanisms.

The exercise is expected to inform ongoing discussions at various multilateral forums, including ASEAN-related meetings, the East Asia Summit, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association, where maritime cooperation is a standing agenda.

Conclusion

The commencement of the first bilateral naval exercise between India and the Philippines in the South China Sea marks a substantive development in bilateral relations and regional maritime cooperation. Administratively, it strengthens mechanisms for operational and institutional collaboration, offering enhanced security and benefits to stakeholders across the Indo-Pacific. The event is a clear example of proactive, rules-based engagement by regional powers and sets the foundation for expanded cooperative activities in the years to come[1][3][4].