6 days ago
Defence the cornerstone of India-Philippines strategic partnership as both nations take aim at China
While the two countries signed terms of references for staff-level talks between all three services, the strategic partnership focuses on 'co-development and co-production of defence equipment' while also expanding the hydrographic cooperation—study of the physical features of oceans, lakes, and rivers.
The strategic partnership was announced following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and Philippines President Marcos Jr. who is in India on a five-day visit from 4 August.
New Delhi: India and the Philippines announced a strategic partnership here Tuesday with defence cooperation at its core, as the two countries took aim at China and expressed concerns over the situation in the South China Sea 'particularly with regard to coercive and aggressive actions'.
'Enhancing cooperation in the area of maritime security including through collaborative efforts for enhanced maritime domain awareness (MDA), cooperation in ship-building, maritime connectivity, coastal surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), pollution control and search and rescue (SAR) between Navies and Coast Guards,' said the declaration.
The Philippines delegation includes 14 cabinet ministers, with ministerial bilaterals expected before the Philippine president departs for Bengaluru.
'We have been going through discussions for cooperation in developing submarine infrastructure in the Philippines, training facilities, helping them with ship design and naval modernisation,' P. Kumaran, the Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said during a special media briefing Tuesday.
He highlighted that India has offered a wide range of defence platforms, which may interest Manila as a part of its 'archipelagic defence system.' Manila is also the first country to procure three batteries of the BrahMos missile systems from India, in a deal worth $375 million in 2022.
India is delighted to welcome Philippines President, Mr. Bongbong Marcos at a time when we mark 75 years of bilateral relations between our nations. It is equally gladdening that we have decided to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, which ensures our cooperation becomes…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2025
In its latest military modernisation plan Re-Horizon 3, Manila has set out a goal for the purchase of at least two diesel-powered submarines for its armed forces. Manila currently does not operate any submarines. The plan envisions a $35 billion modernisation programme over 10 years.
France's Naval Group has reportedly offered its Scorpene submarines. The Indian Navy currently operates six of this class-type.
The India-Philippines announcement of strategic partnership comes as the situation in the South China Sea remains tense as China continues to press its territorial claims based on the 'nine-dash line'. Manila took Beijing to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 2013 over its territorial claims on the 'nine-dash line.'
The arbitral tribunal stated in 2016 that China's claim under the nine-dash line has no legal basis in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India has come out in support of Manila's position in the South China Sea.
The declaration of the strategic partnership expressed concern over the situation in the South China Sea 'particularly with regard to coercive and aggressive actions' that impact regional peace and stability. It called on relevant parties to exercise self-restraint and commit to peaceful and constructive means to resolve and manage disputes.
While not mentioned in the declaration, the focus on 'coercive and aggressive actions' points to recent incidents including the ramming of Philippine ships by the Chinese coast guard. One such incident led to a serious injury to a Philippine navy sailor last year.
On Sunday, a day before the beginning of Marcos Jr.'s planned trip to New Delhi, the navies of the two countries held their first joint exercise in the South China Sea to the irritation of China. One of the four ships sent by India had hydrographic capabilities.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said Tuesday, 'Disputes over territorial and maritime rights and interests shall be resolved by the direct parties through negotiation and consultation, and no third party shall intervene.'
On Monday, the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) asserted that Manila's actions for joint patrols in the South China Sea 'undermines' regional peace and stability.
New Delhi, similar to Manila, also has territorial disputes with Beijing, especially across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Ties between India and China cratered after the Galwan military clashes in the summer months of 2020.
New Delhi and Beijing have in recent months engaged in confidence-building measures to create a better working relationship including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by China and the issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals by India.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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