Manila: India and the Philippines have launched their inaugural joint naval exercises in the contested waters of the South China Sea, as announced by the Filipino military on Monday. This significant military collaboration coincides with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’s state visit to New Delhi, where discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are anticipated.

According to Deutsche Welle, the Philippines dispatched two frigates for the joint operation. Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Salgado informed Agence France Presse that the patrol commenced the previous afternoon and continues with ongoing activities, including a replenishment at sea. The joint effort underscores a strengthening military alliance between the two nations, set against a backdrop of rising regional tensions.

The joint exercises are likely to provoke a reaction from China, which asserts extensive claims over the South China Sea. Responding to inquiries about China’s potential countermeasures, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner noted that while the patrols were shadowed, no untoward incidents occurred. He expressed optimism about future collaborations with India’s military, highlighting the successful nature of the current exercises.

The Philippines has increasingly sought to bolster its military alliances following numerous disputes with China over the contested maritime regions. The South China Sea is a critical commercial passage, with $3 trillion worth of goods transiting annually, and it remains a focal point of geopolitical tension involving multiple Southeast Asian nations.

China, which also faces a longstanding border conflict with India in the Himalayas, recently labeled the Philippines a “troublemaker” for aligning with foreign forces. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang reiterated China’s firm stance on safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, warning of decisive countermeasures against any provocations from the Philippines.