Philippines, India complete first joint patrol; China reacts

MANILA, Philippines, August 5 ------ Indian and Philippine Navy vessels completed their first-ever joint patrol in parts of the disputed South China Sea in a two-day maritime cooperation exercise aimed at deepening security ties amid growing presence of Chinese vessels in the area.

The patrol began Sunday, August 3, a day before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to India for a state visit. The exercise involved three Indian warships sailing alongside Philippine naval forces in waters within Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. The activity proceeded without incident, but drew criticism from Beijing, which accused Manila of “drawing in external countries to stir up trouble.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado said in an Agence France Presse report that the joint patrol continued into Monday with replenishment-at-sea operations. Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., meanwhile, said the exercise had met its objectives and that no untoward incidents were reported, even as several Chinese vessels were observed shadowing the patrol.

India deployed ships from its Eastern Fleet, including guided missile destroyer INS Delhi, anti-submarine corvette INS Kiltan, and tanker INS Shakti. The vessels arrived in Manila last week for a port visit. The Philippine Navy, meanwhile, has stepped up joint maritime activities with a range of partners over the past year following multiple confrontations with Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

China's reaction. In a statement on Monday, Senior Colonel Tian Junli of the Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command said the joint patrol “undermines regional peace and stability.” He added that Beijing had conducted its own “routine patrols” on the same days and remained on “high alert.”

Growing ties

Before departing for New Delhi on Monday morning, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ stance on international maritime law. “Our two countries have shown steadfastness in upholding international maritime law, including UNCLOS,” he said. The timing of the patrol coincides with Marcos’ five-day state visit to India, where he is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officials have said agreements on cooperation in law, culture and technology are on the table, with potential defense deals being closely watched. India has previously sold the Philippines the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, capable of speeds over 3,400 kilometers per hour.

The two countries have been growing security ties as India navigates its own tensions with China along their Himalayan border. India is also a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue — or Quad — along with the United States, Japan and Australia, a grouping often viewed by Beijing as a strategic counterweight in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: philstar.com