Indian warship docks in Manila as tension ups in South China Sea

NEW DELHI: An Indian warship is now in Manila at a time when tensions are running high between the Philippines and China, with the latter indulging in strong-arm tactics against its smaller neighbour in contravention of international norms.
Indian ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran took the opportunity of the docking of anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kadmatt at Manila on "a goodwill visit" to stress the robust bilateral relations between India and the Philippines as "fellow democracies".

"We have a shared interest in the peace and stability of the region... We fully support our Philippine friends in their efforts to ensure that whatever happens in the seas respects the constitution of the seas," he said, as per reports from Manila.
Tensions have spiked in the region after Chinese ships rammed into ones from the Philippines near the Second Thomas Shoal, which falls under Manila's exclusive economic zone, to stake claim to the area towards end-October.

Indian officials said INS Kadmatt is slated to take part in a "maritime partnership exercise" with an offshore patrol vessel of the Philippine Navy, BRP Ramon, in the South China Sea, where China is locked in territorial disputes with its neighbours.
With an eye firmly on China, India has been steadily expanding military ties with Asean countries in recent years. India, for instance, will soon begin supplying Manila with three anti-ship coastal batteries of the 290-km-range BrahMos missiles under the $375 million contract inked in January 2022. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had emphasised at the recent Asean defence minister's meeting-plus at Jakarta that India was fully committed to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters in accordance with global norms.

The Asean and its dialogue partners should "actively collaborate" to ensure peace, prosperity and security in the region, with all adhering to international norms like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, Singh had said.

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