Philippine President Visits India, Joint Patrols by the Two Navies in the South China Sea
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. departed for India on Monday (August 4) for a five-day state visit, aiming to strengthen cooperation, including in defense and maritime fields. Indian military officials stationed in Manila announced on Monday that an Indian warship conducted a two-day patrol with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea for the first time.
On Monday morning, President Marcos was accompanied by officials such as the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and Trade and Industry Minister on his trip. The trip will take him to major metropolitan areas such as Delhi and Bengaluru, where he will discuss trade and economic cooperation opportunities with business leaders, especially in the information technology industry.
In his speech before the trip, Marcos described India as a "valued friend" of the Philippines, and stated that the two countries share values such as democracy, maritime interests, and regional peace as the basis for deepening cooperation. He said that defense, trade, health, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, tourism, and digital connectivity are areas where the two countries can expand cooperation, and emphasized that both countries are committed to upholding international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the South China Sea arbitration ruling.
Amid ongoing disputes between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, the Philippines is actively strengthening its security cooperation with India, including purchasing three BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems from India.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, during his visit to the Philippines last March, stated that India recognizes the validity of the South China Sea case arbitration ruling and supports the Philippines in safeguarding its national sovereignty and opposing China's actions toward neighboring countries.
Earlier this week, Philippine Chief of Staff Brawner said that the BrahMos missiles have not been fully delivered, and another two sets will arrive in the coming years. The Philippines has also purchased bulletproof equipment and naval weapons from India. Brawner also announced that the Philippine and Indian navies conducted their first joint sea patrol in the South China Sea near the Philippines' Zambales area, which ended on Monday. No major incidents occurred during the patrol, but they were followed by vessels from other countries. He did not mention which country's vessels were following them, but it is generally speculated to be Chinese vessels.
As Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos is set to visit India on Monday, a Philippine military spokesperson, Major John Paul Salgado, told AFP that three Indian ships participated in the two-day India-Philippines joint patrol, which "began on Sunday afternoon."
He added that "the current activities include maritime resupply."
India and China, the two most populous countries in the world, are fiercely competing for influence in South Asia, and their 3,500-kilometer border has long been a source of tension.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839526627056651/
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