New Delhi: As part of India’s expanding strategic outreach in the Indo-Pacific region, Indian Naval Ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan of the Eastern Fleet arrived at Manila, Philippines today. The deployment marks a significant milestone in India-Philippines maritime partnership and reflects New Delhi’s continued focus on enhancing security cooperation with Southeast Asian nations.
⚓ Warm Welcome and Strategic Engagements
Commanded by Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), the three frontline warships were accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Philippine Navy, reinforcing the spirit of goodwill, trust, and cooperation between the two maritime forces.
In his interaction with local media upon arrival, Rear Admiral Menon emphasized the shared goal of ensuring regional maritime stability and security, highlighting the critical role such visits play in enhancing mutual understanding, operational synergy, and strategic alignment.
🤝 Strengthening Interoperability through Joint Activities
A range of professional and cultural exchanges are scheduled during the port call, including:
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Operational planning discussions
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Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE)
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Cross-deck visits
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Social and ceremonial engagements
These activities aim to foster greater interoperability and mutual learning between the Indian and Philippine navies, especially in the areas of surface operations, communication protocols, and naval logistics.
🚢 Bilateral Maritime Exercise to Boost Operational Synergy
The visit will culminate in a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy. The exercise will focus on:
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Joint manoeuvres
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Seamanship evolutions
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Communication drills
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Tactical coordination
This exercise is designed to strengthen preparedness, improve joint responsiveness, and further institutionalize trust and collaboration in the maritime domain.
🌏 A Testament to India’s Indo-Pacific Vision- Indian Naval Ships
This deployment is a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to its “Act East Policy” and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). It underscores the Indian Navy’s role as a net security provider in the region, promoting peace, stability, and rule-based maritime order.
The ongoing operational deployment and engagements in Manila reflect India’s strategic depth and maritime diplomacy, especially at a time when regional cooperation is vital to tackling shared challenges in freedom of navigation, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance.
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Source: PIB
