3 hrs ago
Indian Naval Ships Join ASEAN-Plus Maritime Cooperation in Philippines
Two Indian Navy ships have arrived at a port in the Philippines.
They will join a maritime activity connected to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Ships from Southeast Asian countries and eight partner countries are taking part.
The countries will practice working together and discuss common challenges at sea.
India says the visit supports its Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.
It also gives Indian and Philippine maritime forces a chance to build closer professional relationships.
India and the Philippines established a Strategic Partnership in August 2025.
Their leaders have also agreed to expand cooperation in areas including defence, trade, space and education.
Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay port in the Philippines on Sunday.
The ships will participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity.
The activity brings together maritime forces from ASEAN members and eight Plus countries.
India said the deployment supports maritime cooperation, interoperability and understanding of shared maritime challenges.
The visit also aims to strengthen India-Philippines maritime ties under their Strategic Partnership established in August 2025.
- Who
- Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish, along with maritime forces from ASEAN members and eight Plus countries.
- What
- Participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity and related maritime engagements.
- Where
- Subic Bay port, Philippines.
- When
- The ships arrived on Sunday; Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held an earlier meeting on September 13.
- Why
- To support maritime cooperation and interoperability, address shared maritime challenges, and strengthen India-Philippines relations.
Key facts
- Participating ships
- Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish
- Host location
- Subic Bay, Philippines
- Main activity
- ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity
- Participants
- Maritime forces from ASEAN Member States and eight Plus countries
- Policy framework
- India’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision
- Bilateral milestone
- India-Philippines Strategic Partnership established in August 2025
- Earlier leaders’ meeting
- Narendra Modi and Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit on September 13
Quotes
Indian Ministry of External Affairs
India’s ministry responsible for foreign relations
“The port call also reflects the growing maritime engagement between India and the Philippines. Building upon recent bilateral engagements and the establishment of the India–Philippines Strategic Partnership in August 2025, the deployment provides an opportunity to further strengthen professional linkages and maritime cooperation between the two countries.”
thehansindia.com
“The leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made in bilateral cooperation across all areas and agreed to further deepen and expand collaboration in the fields of defence and security, trade and investment, space, railway infrastructure, fintech, education, tourism, science and technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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