India, Philippines hold first joint naval drill in South China Sea, Chinese foreign ministry responds

This is the first time the two nations have conducted the maritime cooperative activity on the disputed South China Sea.

Experts believe the maritime cooperation between the two nations may leave China irked.

The joint naval engagement spanned strategic waters from Masinloc, Zambales to Cabra Island in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, highlighting the growing security collaboration between the two Indo-Pacific partners.

Philippine Navy assets included the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), a Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft, and a C-208B reconnaissance aircraft.

The Indian Navy deployed a robust maritime task group for the exercise, consisting of the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D61), the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan (P30), and the fleet replenishment tanker INS Shakti (A57), read an X post by the Armed Forces of the Philippines
.
These surface vessels were supported by two multi-role naval helicopters, enhancing the group's operational flexibility during the joint drills.

The two-day Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) featured a comprehensive series of high-level naval operations aimed at strengthening tactical coordination and joint maritime capability.

Among the key drills conducted were rendezvous operations, communication checks, air defence exercises, and manoeuvring drills with photo exercise (PHOTOEX).

The activity also included more complex warfare simulations such as screening exercise (SCREENEX), over-the-horizon targeting (OTH-T), naval surface interdiction and clearance (NSIC) integrated with a publication exercise (PUBEX), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, replenishment at sea (RAS), passing exercise, and steaming fast (PASSEX/STEAMFAST).

The series culminated with a hotwash and a final evaluation through a Final Exercise (FINEX), underscoring both forces’ commitment to achieving operational synergy in multilateral maritime environments.

“Nagsimula ang joint sail natin with the Indian Navy, kahapon, August 3. And then, hanggang ngayon, August 4. And so far, maganda ang results. We have met our objectives for the exercise. First tiime in history, na nagkaroon tayo ng joint sail with the Indian Navy. We are hoping na magtuloy-tuloy ito, so that, mas madami pa tayong gagawing mga exercises and activites with the Indian Armed Forces,” said AFP Chief of Staff General Brawner.

The successful execution of this first bilateral MCA underscores the two nations’ readiness to work together in promoting maritime domain awareness and supporting a peaceful, stable, and secure region. It also lays the groundwork for sustained maritime collaboration in the years ahead, the X post said.

Chinese Foreign Minister reacts

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun reacted to the exercise and said during a press conference: "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."

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a major trade route in the region.

Several nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei and Taiwan, also lay claims to parts of the sea.