August 5, 2025 | 02:49 pm
India and the Philippines conducted their first joint patrol in the South China Sea on Sunday, August 3, 2025. The patrol lasted for two days until Monday, August 4, 2025, and was sailed within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
This activity took place a day before Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a state visit to India.
According to Al Jazeera, the patrol included joint naval exercises between the two countries in a maritime area that is almost entirely claimed by China. The Philippines deployed two frigates, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal.
India, on the other hand, participated with the guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi, the tanker INS Shakti, and the corvette INS Kiltan.
The Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces, General Romeo Brawner Jr., stated that the patrol proceeded without any incidents. “We did not experience any untoward incidents, but there are still those shadowing us – as we had already expected,” he said.
Indo-Pacific Strategic Cooperation
As reported by CNA, Indian navy warships arrived in Manila for a port visit last weekend. The joint maritime patrol began on Sunday afternoon and continued until Monday, August 4.
"The activity at the moment is replenishment at sea," said Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado, a Philippine military representative.
The Philippines has enhanced defense cooperation with various allied countries in the past year, following a number of incidents with Chinese vessels in the disputed area. President Marcos praised the steadfastness of both countries in upholding international maritime law, including UNCLOS.
China Condemns Joint Patrol
In response, the Chinese government condemned the exercise. "This joint patrol undermines regional peace and stability," said Senior Colonel Tian Junli, the spokesperson for the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command.
He claimed that the Chinese military also conducted routine patrols in the same area from August 3 to 4 and was on high alert.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that maritime disputes should be resolved directly by the countries involved, without the interference of third parties.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, Zhang Xiaogang, said, “China never wavers in its resolve and will safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and take resolute countermeasures against any provocations by the Philippine side.”
Diplomacy in India
During his visit to India, Marcos is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs of the Philippines, Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Marcos will sign agreements for cooperation in law, culture, and technology. However, the main focus is on the possibility of a defense agreement.
India had previously sold supersonic cruise missiles BrahMos to the Philippines. India is also a member of the Quad alliance along with the United States, Japan, and Australia, a group of democratic countries that China has often criticized as an attempt to contain its influence.
China continues to reject the 2016 international arbitration ruling that declared its territorial claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis and has refused to abide by the decision.
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