Manila: Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish have arrived at Subic Bay port in the Philippines to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA), as part of the Indian Navy’s ongoing operational deployment.
The visit is in line with India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
Indian Navy to Engage With Regional Maritime Forces
According to the Ministry of Defence, the two Indian Naval ships arrived at Subic Bay on Sunday. Their participation highlights India’s continued commitment to multilateral maritime cooperation and constructive engagement with regional partners.
The ADMM-Plus JCA brings together maritime forces from ASEAN member states and eight Plus countries for professional and operational engagements. The activity aims to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and cooperation in the maritime domain.
The deployment will provide the Indian Navy with opportunities to interact with participating maritime forces and discuss shared maritime challenges through professional and operational engagements.
India-Philippines Maritime Cooperation Gains Momentum
The port call also reflects the growing maritime engagement between India and the Philippines. The Defence Ministry said the deployment will provide an opportunity to further strengthen professional linkages and maritime cooperation between the two countries.
The engagement builds on recent bilateral developments, including the establishment of the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership in August 2025.
Modi, Marcos Review Strategic Partnership
Earlier, on September 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit and discussed ways to further strengthen India’s engagement with ASEAN.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders expressed satisfaction with progress in bilateral cooperation and agreed to further expand collaboration in defence and security, trade and investment, space, railway infrastructure, fintech, education, tourism, science and technology, innovation and people-to-people ties.
Both leaders also agreed to advance bilateral relations under the Strategic Partnership established during President Marcos’ State Visit to India in August 2025.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the Philippines’ participation in the BRICS Summit as the current ASEAN chair and also welcomed the country’s decision to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).