Indian Navy Ships Arrive in Manila for Exercise

May 21, 2024

The INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan ships of the Indian Navy recently arrived in Manila. They are on a major visit to strengthen marine ties between India and the Philippines. The fleet ships from the Eastern Fleet arrived and the Philippines Navy gave them a formal welcome.

Motives and Activities of the Deployment

The Indian Navy’s Operational Deployment in the South China Sea includes this visit. It shows India’s strategic situation and maritime interest in the area. There are many planned activities during the visit, such as professional exchanges (called SMEE or Subject Matter Expert Exchange), sports competitions, trips between decks, cultural events, and community projects that involve working together. The Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Philippine Navy is the most important part of the trip. The goal of the exercise is to improve naval cooperation through training and real-life activities.

Geopolitical Context

There are a lot of problems between China and the Philippines right now, mostly because of the Scarborough Shoal, which is an important part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and only 220 miles from its coast. The Shoal’s strategic position near important shipping lanes makes it even more important. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippines has a valid claim over the area. However, China’s claims to almost the whole South China Sea have caused many conflicts, violating other countries’ rights, and an international court has ruled that these claims are not valid.

Historical and Ongoing Cooperation

From November 1949 to the present, India and the Philippines have had diplomatic links. Relations have been mostly good between the two countries. There has been more interaction between them through frequent visits by naval and coastguard ships, participation in specialized military training, and delegation exchanges at higher defence educational institutions. This consistency in communication shows that both sides are dedicated to advancing defence and strategic cooperation even as the security situation in the area changes.

More About Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet

The Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy is mostly in charge of protecting India’s eastern coastline.
It is headquartered at Visakhapatnam.
Established in 1971, it played a decisive role during the Indo-Pakistan War of the same year.
Along with the U.S. Navy and other navies, the fleet takes part in major missions and drills like MALABAR.
It has high-tech ships like Sindhughosh-class subs and Shivalik-class stealth frigates.
INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered submarine, is under the direction of the fleet.
India’s blue-water skills are shown off by the Eastern Fleet.
It expands relief efforts in the area around the Indian Ocean.

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