India and the Philippines have commenced joint naval exercises in the South China Sea amidst President Ferdinand Marcos's five-day visit to India. The military deployment is expected to provoke China, which asserts territorial claims in the area. Philippine Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner confirmed that the maneuvers occurred within the country's exclusive economic zone. Brawner anticipates further military cooperation with India, aiming for enhanced partnerships in defense and other sectors.
The two-day joint military deployment that kicked off on Sunday is likely to anger China, which claims nearly the entire key waterway and has separate territorial disputes with the two Asian countries.
Philippine Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr said on Monday that the joint sail took place inside his country's exclusive economic zone.
The exercise coincided with President Ferdinand Marcos's departure for a five-day trip to India, where he said he would look to deepen maritime ties and seek cooperation on sectors including defence, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
Brawner expressed hope that Filipino forces could engage India's military in more joint manoeuvres in the future, indicating a push for deeper military collaboration.
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