Philippine, Indian navies hold first joint drills in West Philippine Sea

The Philippine Navy and Indian Navy are conducting their first joint maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea, near Scarborough Shoal.

This activity, the first of its kind in the region, is seen by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a signal of solidarity and cooperation between the two democracies.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. announced the milestone event aboard the Indian naval tanker INS Shakti.

The cooperation coincides with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to India.

Indian Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain stated, "We share a common reason for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region where all nations, regardless of size, can thrive and prosper."

India joins the United States, Australia, Japan, France, Canada, and New Zealand in conducting joint maritime patrols with the Philippines.