The INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan ships of the Indian Navy finished their trip to Manila, Philippines. They were there as part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea.
The Ministry of Defense said in a press release that the visit “showed India’s strong ties with the Philippines and its commitment to further deepen the partnership.”
Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) between members of the Indian Navy and the Philippines Navy took place during the port call. There were also sports games, cross-deck meetings, cultural exchanges, and joint community outreach programs.
During the visit, R Adm Rajesh Dhankhar, who is in charge of the Eastern Fleet, and the captains of the ships talked to R Adm Renato David, who is in charge of the Philippine Fleet (CPF), and V Adm Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr., who is in charge of operations for the Philippine Coast Guard.
FOCEF also had a lot of different kinds of talks with Vice Adm Toribio Dulinayan Adaci JT, who is the Flag Officer in Command (FOIC), about how they could work together, things that were important to both sides, and the current state of security in the area and beyond.
The visit gave the militaries of India and the Philippines a chance to talk about how to improve their ability to work together and with each other.
The port call shows that India and the Philippines have strong defense and diplomatic links. It shows that India is serious about keeping the peace and stability in the area, which is in line with its “Act East” and “SAGAR” strategies.
China and the Philippines are more angry at each other over the Scarborough Shoal because Manila is being more aggressive in disputed areas.
The shoal is a traditional fishing ground used by many countries. It is situated close to important shipping channels and about 220 kilometers off the coast of the Philippines, in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
International Law (UNCLOS) says that an EEZ starts about 370 km from the coast of a country and goes out to sea.
An Al Jazeera story says that China has claimed almost the whole South China Sea, ignoring claims from other countries like the Philippines and an international ruling that these claims are illegal. The sea is also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
India and the Philippines officially became friends in November 1949, not long after each country got its freedom.
The two countries have had friendly but quiet ties with each other.
Ships from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard often go to the Philippines. There have been more visits by National Defense College delegations and more officers from both countries’ armed forces taking part in specialized training classes in each other’s countries.
