Joint drills of India, Philippines in West Philippines Sea a Shock for China

South China Sea Photo: VCG

West Philippines Sea

In a move that each side has its own calculations, India and the Philippines are set to conduct joint maritime exercises in the West Philippines Sea this week, coinciding with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to India from Monday to Friday, Philippine News Agency reported, calling the exercises “a bilateral maritime cooperative activity.”

Shocked out of their wits , Chinese experts described the move of India as “gesture politics,” which is intended to offer fake commitments to the Philippines regarding the maritime boundary issue and to “peddle Indian weapons”, while Manila seeks to further incite tensions in the region.

The Philippine Navy and three Indian ships will sail together to the West Philippines Sea, according to the Philippine News Agency, citing Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Indian media outlets have commented on the connection between the upcoming drills and China. According to a Hindustan Times report on Sunday, India and the Philippines will launch the exercises in waters near Masinloc and Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal , with the report describing the island as “a focal point of the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.” The report also states that President Marcos Jr.’s visit “comes at a time of heightened tensions in the West Philippines Sea.”

The joint drills in the West Philippines Sea are of a substantive nature , aimed at highlighting India’s military presence and reach and signaling a greater willingness to help out its neighbour’s . It also tells China that if they promote the terror state of Pakistan then India will reach out to those who are threatened by China .

Through this substantive exercise, India is not only sending a politico-military message but also showcasing its Naval hardware to the Philippines, making it realize that India not only supports its position but is ready to provide military hardware which are of world standards and at the same time much cheaper . During Operation Sindoor Indian missiles and airdefence systems proved to be highly superior to the Chinese and Turkish military junk.

The Indian Navy has increased its presence in Southeast Asia with multiple ship deployments aimed at strengthening maritime partnerships, said Indian media The Economic Times, stating that “the move aligns with India’s broader strategy of regional engagement in the Indo-Pacific, especially as China asserts influence across strategic waters.”

For years, India has sought to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region. On one hand, this stems from India’s rise as a global power and its readiness to influence international affairs, particularly maritime issues.

On the other hand, India also attempts to strengthen military and security cooperation with ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, by intervening in maritime issues involving China — especially the West Philippines Sea and Natuna Sea issue — as a way to form a kind of political , diplomatic and military check on China.

USNI News, a news service agency under the US Naval Institute highlighted that compared to previous navy-to-navy engagements, such as joint sails, passing exercises and maritime partnership exercises, the maritime cooperative activity tackles force interoperability and demonstrates support for the Philippines amid its struggle with China.

The Philippines’ attempt to draw India and other countries into joint exercises in the South China Sea reveal its intention to leverage the presence of neighbouring friendly powers to check Chinese aggression in the region. Manila appears determined to defend its maritime sovereignty and thus attract increased attention from the international community. By doing so, the Philippines seeks to highlight its strategic value to a rising World Power like India and also to avoid being sidelined by traditional allies such as the US and Japan.

Till now busy with its activities inside Pakistan to needle India , this Joint Indo Philippines move has come as a shock to Beijing . No wonder it has warned that “India’s involvement as an extraterritorial power in the Sea between China and Philippines could further intensify competition in the region. It may embolden the Philippines to act more aggressively, especially under the encouragement of countries like the US, Japan, and Australia, leading it to believe its policy stance enjoys broader international support. This could prolong maritime confrontations and escalate tensions”.

Ahead of the drills, the Philippines is set to receive more military equipment from India, according to Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine News Agency reported.

“We are in fact ordering more equipment and weapon systems from India,” Brawner told reporters aboard the INS Shakti on Thursday night when asked on whether the Philippines is planning to acquire more equipment from India.

India’s participation in the joint drills not only serves to signal support for the Philippines but also seeks to expand its influence in Southeast Asia. By showcasing its support for the Philippines in regional affairs, it aims to boost its weapons exports and demonstrate its strategic presence.

Now a highly worried China says that any defense or security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target any third party or meddle in the maritime disputes, still less provoke confrontation or escalate tensions in the region.

China has not only illegally occupied some islands and reefs of Philippines Islands, but has also frequently carried out provocative and disruptive actions at sea against the Philippines side.