Amid escalated tensions between an assertive China and the Philippines, three Indian warships INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan arrived in Manila on Sunday as part of their ongoing prolonged deployment to the South China Sea to counter Chinese threats. The major deployment exhibits India’s ongoing strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific region. With the South China Sea serving as a vital maritime corridor for international trade, India’s action demonstrates its commitment to advancing peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the region.
Emphasizing upon India- Philippines ties, Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar stated that India and the Philippines share common interests, particularly in maintaining peace and order in the Indo-Pacific region. The two navies possess strong bonds of friendship and have strived to engage in maritime partnership exercises whenever possible.
The focal point of the dispute between China and the Philippines is the Scarborough shoal, situated in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is about 220 kilometres off the country’s coast. The shoal is a recognised fishing site that is used by several countries and is near significant shipping routes.
In an effort to strengthen security cooperation and promote regional stability, it also puts light on India’s growing engagement with nations in Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. The continuous attempts to maintain international maritime standards and guarantee a rules-based order in the region are perhaps made easier by the deployment of Indian warships in the South China Sea.
A Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy is scheduled to take place during the visit. It makes it quite evident that India intends to implement an assertive approach to maintaining international law and preserving maritime security. China, which has stepped up its claims to the South China Sea, is probably among the regional players keeping an eye on this deployment.
Through frequent joint exercises, military exchanges, and training initiatives, India has been steadily strengthening defence ties with ASEAN nations including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, particularly to avert Chinese threats.
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