MANILA: Indian Navy warships have begun patrolling areas of the disputed South China Sea with their Philippine counterparts for the first time, Manila’s military said Monday. The two-day sail includes three Indian vessels and started Sunday, a day ahead of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ scheduled trip to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Philippines has heightened defense cooperation with a range of allies over the past year after a series of clashes in the contested waterway.

MANILA: Indian Navy warships have begun patrolling areas of the disputed South China Sea with their Philippine counterparts for the first time, Manila’s military said Monday. The…

The historic joint patrol begins as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr travels to India for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India and the Philippines conduct joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, challenging China's dominance in the region.

The exercise coincided with President Marcos’s trip to India, where he said he would look to deepen maritime ties.

‘Manila appears to be seeking the backing of external powers to enhance its leverage in negotiations and to counterbalance China’: academic.