India and Philippines Joint Sail And Naval Exercise

 India and Philippines Joint Sail And Naval Exercise : Recently, India and the Philippines conducted their first-ever joint sail and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea.

• About Exercise : Purpose: To enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two navies (Duration: Two days)

o To reinforce freedom of navigation in disputed waters.

o Location: Within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

o Indian Naval Assets Involved: INS Delhi – Guided missile destroyer

ü INS Shakti – Fleet replenishment tanker

ü INS Kiltan – Anti-submarine warfare corvette

o Strategic Significance: A symbolic move against China’s “Nine-Dash Line” claims.

ü Supports India’s Act East Policy and maritime cooperation through the “Necklace of Diamonds” strategy.

ü Strengthens defence diplomacy and freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs).