India has deployed three naval warships to the Philippines for the first-ever joint patrol in the South China Sea. Analysts believe that this move signifies a shift in India’s regional influence, extending its “string of pearls” strategy towards the east.
The Indian Eastern Fleet docked at Manila Port on Wednesday (July 30) to participate in friendly activities before engaging in maritime cooperation. The fleet includes the missile destroyer INS Mysore (D60), anti-submarine warfare ship INS Kiltan (D30), and replenishment tanker INS Shakti (A57). These three warships are scheduled to participate in a joint cruise from August 4 to 8, including patrols in disputed waters between China and the Philippines.
The joint exercise coincides with the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to India, where he plans to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Modi. This marks Marcos’ first visit to India since taking office, with his schedule also including meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Foreign Minister Sujeshan.
The INS Mysore destroyer, with a length of 163 meters, is equipped with the Indo-Russian jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with a range of up to 800 kilometers.
The Philippine Armed Forces described the maritime cooperation as aimed at “maintaining important cooperation between countries to ensure peace and stability in international waters.”
Following the lead of the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, and France, India has now joined in maritime cooperation activities with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
According to the South China Morning Post, analysts state that India’s collaboration with the Philippines in naval patrols reflects India’s ongoing naval deployments in Southeast Asia, demonstrating a unified front with the Philippines amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
Philippine Navy Colonel John Alcos told the US Naval Institute news portal, “Following the port visit by Indian warships, both sides will conduct maritime cooperation activities to further strengthen the robust naval relations between the Philippines and India.”
While the two nations have conducted several exercises in the South China Sea, this marks India’s first maritime cooperation activities with the Philippine military. In comparison to past navy activities (such as joint sailing, transit exercises, and maritime partnership exercises), this maritime cooperation aims to enhance interoperation capabilities among the forces and demonstrate support for the Philippines during conflict with China.
In recent years, defense cooperation between India and the Philippines has strengthened. Indian authorities also changed their stance on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration, shifting from recognizing the result to urging adherence to the ruling.
The first BrahMos missile base in the Philippines could target maritime objectives near the West Luzon island, including disputed areas around Scarborough Shoal.
Security experts note that India’s deployment of warships for joint patrols alongside Philippine vessels indicates Indian decision-makers recognize China is not a status quo power.
Anita Abbott, Chair of the Asia-Pacific Security Innovation Forum based in New Zealand, stated in an interview with Asian Weekly that India’s assertive stance signals a shift from occasional cooperation to sustained regional presence with the Philippines.
She added, “The South China Sea and the Indian Ocean regions are interconnected strategic arenas, especially for China. By collaborating with the Philippines, India can expand its influence to the east and enhance its maritime depth, thereby showcasing its status as a predominant maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region.”
“Furthermore, by reinforcing its posture in the South China Sea, India strengthens its ‘string of pearls’ strategy in the Indian Ocean region,” she elaborated, referring to the alliance network India has established to counter Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions.
Chris Gardiner, CEO of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told the South China Morning Post that India, as an emerging global maritime power, is engaging with Southeast Asia through its “Act East” policy, leveraging its growing economic interests in the region.
Gardiner mentioned that the increased presence of the Indian Navy in international waters such as the South China Sea and Philippine waters will contribute to balancing and stabilizing the marine environment in the region.
India and China are vying for control in the Indian Ocean region, seeking dominance over critical trade routes and ports. China has devised the “Pearl Chain” strategy, involving the establishment, development, and operation of ports from China to Africa in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, as well as collaborating with coastal nations to construct naval bases and commercial ports.
India has introduced the counter-strategy of the “string of pearls” to respond to China’s “Pearl Chain,” aiming to encircle China by establishing military bases and alliance networks in neighboring countries, enhancing its presence in the Indian Ocean through economic investments.
The “string of pearls” strategy includes increasing India’s access to strategic countries’ naval bases and aims to develop strategic relationships through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) alliance (consisting of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia).