The Indian and Philippine navies joined in the South China Sea for their first-ever joint exercise this week, drawing a protest from China. Newsweek contacted the Indian Defense Ministry and the Philippine military for comment via email. The drill comes as India seeks to expand its engagement in the Asia-Pacific. This outreach includes deeper ties with Washington and U.S. allies such as the Philippines—which, like India, has a long-running territorial dispute with China.
Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippines has been pushing back against Chinese maritime forces' expansive activities within the Southeast Asian country's maritime zone. Philippine guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, Indian guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi and Indian anti-submarine corvette INS Kiltan navigate side by side during an exercise. Armed Forces of the Philippines The naval exercises took place Sunday and Monday within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, off the main Philippine island of Luzon.
the Philippine military said in a statement. Featured activities included drills on air defense, communications, rendezvous operations and maneuvering. Participating Philippine ships included the guided-missile frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal, along with air force search and rescue aircraft and a C-208B reconnaissance aircraft. Philippine navy personnel aboard Philippine guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal simulate torpedo launcher operations to enhance crew readiness. Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Indian contingent featured the guided-missile destroyer INS Delhi, anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan and fleet replenishment tanker INS Shakti. Two multi-role naval helicopters also participated. China, which frequently criticizes U.S. and other foreign military cooperation with the Philippines, issued a condemnation of the drills on Monday. Disputes over territory and maritime rights and interests should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned, and no third party is in any position to interfere in that," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters.
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