India, Philippines launch first joint naval drills in disputed South China Sea: A clear message to Beijing?

The strategic context: South China Sea flashpoint

The South China Sea has long been a region of territorial contestation and rising military assertiveness by China. The Philippines, with overlapping maritime claims, has been among the most vocal in resisting Beijing’s expansive ambitions. It has recently stepped up joint patrols with the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and Canada.

By conducting a coordinated patrol with India, the Philippines is broadening its security partnerships. For India, this is a critical strategic signal -- that it will not remain a passive observer in the Indo-Pacific but is willing to assert its presence even in disputed waters far from its own coastline.

Indian naval muscle on display

The Indian Navy’s participation in the joint drills is both symbolic and operational. Four Indian warships docked in Manila ahead of the exercise -- INS Delhi (D61) – a guided missile destroyer, INS Shakti – a fleet tanker, INS Kiltan (P30) – an anti-submarine warfare corvette, and INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) – a new-generation surveillance ship that arrived in the capital on August 1.

The ships represent a well-rounded maritime task force, capable of long-range deployment and multirole operations, which reinforces India’s image as a dependable security partner in the Indo-Pacific.

A clear strategic signal to Beijing

Speaking aboard the INS Shakti on July 31, Indian diplomats and Philippine national security officials noted that the coordinated patrols were “a powerful testament to the enduring friendship and growing maritime cooperation between the two countries.” The timing was not accidental—it was designed to “set a positive tone” for Marcos Jr’s state visit to India and to project a united front in the face of regional challenges.

Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. described the joint exercise as “a clear demonstration of our mutual resolve to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold the law of the sea.” He pointed out that such cooperation affirms that “we do not do so in isolation, but in partnership with nations who share our values.”

This mirrors India’s own stance on the freedom of navigation and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, often articulated in its engagements with ASEAN, QUAD, and Western partners.

Defence ties already on a strong footing

The growing security convergence isn’t new. In January 2022, the Philippines became the first foreign customer to acquire India’s BrahMos supersonic missile system, in a deal worth $374.9 million. That transaction not only elevated defence ties but demonstrated India’s willingness to provide high-end military capabilities to Southeast Asian countries threatened by Chinese military build-up.

Now, with joint maritime patrols underway, India is showing that it backs its defence exports with strategic reassurance and operational partnership.

Why this matters for India

India’s first-ever maritime drill with the Philippines in the South China Sea is more than just a routine military exercise; it’s a strategic statement. For New Delhi, this move signals its growing naval strength and the ability to operate far from home waters, showcasing India’s rising profile as a blue-water navy.

It also reflects a deeper alignment with Southeast Asian countries, especially those pushing back against China’s aggressive behaviour in the region. By partnering with the Philippines, India is building stronger ties with ASEAN nations that share similar concerns about Beijing’s maritime assertiveness.

Importantly, this engagement goes beyond India’s traditional focus on the Quad (with the US, Japan, and Australia). By working directly with Manila, India is broadening its strategic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific, reducing over-reliance on any single grouping.

These joint drills also serve a tactical purpose -- they help improve coordination at sea and act as a subtle warning against China’s “grey-zone” tactics, such as intimidation and island-building. For India, it’s a way to support regional stability without direct confrontation.

This is also a milestone in defence diplomacy. Until now, India has mostly stuck to selling weapons like the BrahMos missile to countries like the Philippines. Turning that into real-time joint operations is a significant step forward.

Finally, by standing with a country that won an international legal battle against China in 2016, India is reinforcing its support for a rules-based international order, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).