Philippines, India Enhance Naval, Coast Guard Cooperation
Philippines and India Forge Strategic Partnership to Bolster Maritime Security and Defense Ties
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NEW DELHI – The Philippines and India have elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, signaling a commitment to deepened cooperation in defense, maritime security, and regional stability. The announcement came during a state visit by President Ferdinand R.Marcos Jr. to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House on Tuesday.
A key component of the new partnership will be increased interoperability between the naval and coast guard forces of both nations. president Marcos stated, “We will foster Naval and Coast Guard interoperability via port calls in cooperative activities and capacity building in the maritime domain.” This collaboration aims to enhance maritime domain awareness and response capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
The partnership is underpinned by thirteen newly signed agreements, three of which specifically focus on institutionalizing military-to-military dialog and cooperation:
Terms of Reference for Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy.
Terms of Reference for Air Staff talks between the Indian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force.
* Terms of Reference for Army-to-Army Staff talks between the indian Army and the Philippine Army.
Expanding Defense Cooperation and Modernization
president Marcos lauded India’s growing defense industry and its indigenous defense capabilities, specifically mentioning the BrahMos missile project as a prime example of expanding collaboration. The Philippines acquired three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship BrahMos systems in a USD375 million deal, with the first batch delivered in April 2024. this acquisition significantly enhances the armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) deterrence capabilities.
“we expressed satisfaction over the rapid pace of the philippines’ ongoing defense modernization and the expanding capabilities and footprint of India’s indigenous defense industry,” Marcos said.
Addressing Regional Security Challenges
The partnership also acknowledges shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. President Marcos expressed gratitude for India’s swift response in rescuing Filipino seafarers following a Houthi rebel attack earlier in 2024, highlighting India’s role as a “first responder” in the region. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Philippines is actively diversifying its defense partnerships amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where China’s increasing assertiveness has led to encroachments into philippine waters, harassment of Filipino fishermen, and obstruction of resupply missions to Philippine military outposts. The Marcos management continues to assert its sovereign rights, backed by the 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China’s expansive claims.
India similarly faces territorial disputes with China along their Himalayan border, contributing to strained relations between the two Asian powers. Both nations recognize their “high stakes” in maintaining a secure, rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
A Landmark Strategic Partnership
President marcos emphasized the significance of the Strategic Partnership, stating, “This is a momentous decision. India becomes only the fifth strategic partner of the Philippines-an apex that reflects the broadening, deepening, and accelerating trajectory of our relations.” He underscored that the partnership will be instrumental in shaping regional peace, stability, and cooperation.