India and the Philippines have launched their first-ever joint maritime drills in the contentious South China Sea, marking a significant milestone in India’s evolving Indo-Pacific strategy. Timed to coincide with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s four-day state visit to India, the exercise underscores both countries’ growing strategic alignment amid New Delhi making a cautious move in resetting ties with China.

A first for both: State visit and maritime exercise

Marcos Jr’s visit to India is his first state visit to New Delhi since assuming office. He will hold talks with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, and Health Minister JP Nadda during his stay through August 4–7. On August 5, he will also lay a wreath at Raj Ghat before his bilateral meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House.

Meanwhile, Indian warships are already in the Philippines, conducting what is being called a “maritime cooperative activity” — a label underscoring both political diplomacy and strategic military collaboration.