Indian Navy Strengthens Maritime Ties with Philippines During Port Call and Bilateral Exercise

As part of its ongoing operational deployment to Southeast Asia, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet marked a significant milestone in strengthening maritime diplomacy and defense cooperation by concluding a high-profile port call at Manila, Philippines, from 30 July to 4 August 2025. This critical engagement involved three major Indian Naval Ships—INS Delhi (Guided Missile Destroyer), INS Shakti (Fleet Tanker), and INS Kiltan (Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette)—under the command of Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF).

The visit not only fostered strategic dialogue and operational synergy with the Philippine Navy but also underscored India’s broader vision of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Strengthening Strategic Partnerships through High-Level Diplomacy

During the port call, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon held several high-level meetings with senior Philippine officials, including:

• Rear Admiral Joe Anthony C. Orbe, Commander, Philippine Fleet

• Lieutenant General Jimmy D. Larida, Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines

• Ignacio B. Madriaga, Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning

• Vice Admiral Edger Ybanez, Deputy Commandant for Operations, Philippine Coast Guard

These interactions reflected the deepening strategic convergence between India and the Philippines, especially in the areas of maritime security, freedom of navigation, and upholding international maritime law.

Operational Engagements: India–Philippines Bilateral Naval Exercise

A comprehensive bilateral naval exercise took place during the visit, consisting of two key phases:

1. Harbour Phase (30 July – 2 August 2025):

• Cross-deck visits

• Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE)

• Joint operational planning sessions

• Finalization of procedures for at-sea exercises

2. Sea Phase (3–4 August 2025):

• Tactical maneuver drills

• Anti-air warfare and anti-surface operations

• Anti-submarine warfare exercises

• Seamless communication coordination

This naval exercise demonstrated a high level of interoperability and mutual trust between the Indian and Philippine navies, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional maritime stability and disaster-response cooperation.

Cultural Diplomacy and People-to-People Engagement

Deck Reception Onboard INS Shakti

A prestigious deck reception hosted aboard INS Shakti was attended by dignitaries including:

• Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines

• Senior officials from the Philippine Navy, government, and diplomatic corps

This interaction fostered warmth and camaraderie, symbolizing the strong civil-military and diplomatic rapport between the two nations.

Orphanage Visit and Community Outreach

Indian naval personnel visited the Friendship Home Father Luis Amigó Orphanage in Manila. Their time spent with the children reflected the Navy’s ethos of compassion, cultural understanding, and social responsibility, building bridges beyond the battlefield.

Open Ship and Public Interaction

The ships were opened to visitors including:

• Personnel from the Philippine Navy

• Government officials

• Local students

• Members of the Indian diaspora

This outreach promoted maritime awareness, showcased the technological capabilities and professionalism of the Indian Navy, and nurtured goodwill among the civilian population.

Friendly Competitions and Naval Camaraderie

Informal yet impactful sporting events between Indian and Philippine naval personnel brought a human dimension to the visit. These activities—ranging from football and volleyball matches to team-building games—enhanced trust, respect, and camaraderie among uniformed services, strengthening the bond at a grassroots level.

Significance of the Port Call in Indo-Pacific Strategy

The visit to Manila is part of India’s larger effort to enhance its naval diplomacy in Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision. It serves multiple purposes:

• Operational readiness in a key maritime theatre

• Diplomatic engagement with a key ASEAN partner

• Strategic signaling in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific

• Humanitarian and capacity-building cooperation

The successful port call by the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the Philippines has added substantial depth to bilateral maritime relations, combining high-level diplomacy, operational excellence, cultural outreach, and humanitarian gestures. Through these engagements, India has reaffirmed its role as a dependable maritime partner committed to peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Such initiatives reinforce the Indian Navy’s growing regional influence and its capability to project power and goodwill in equal measure.