Tensions Escalate in South China Sea Amid India-Philippines Joint Patrols

China amplifies its naval presence in the South China Sea following India and the Philippines' inaugural joint patrols. The escalation underscores a strategic shift and highlights China's concerns over multilateral coalitions supporting Manila. This development coincides with strengthened India-Philippines defense ties, unsettling Beijing.

In a direct response to India and the Philippines conducting their first-ever joint patrols in the contested South China Sea, China has increased its naval and coast guard presence over the past week, as reported by the US Naval Institute (USNI) News. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carried out 'routine patrols' from Friday to Monday, countering what Beijing considers 'provocative actions' by Manila and unnamed 'non-regional countries.'

According to USNI News, the Southern Theatre Command of the PLA has criticized the joint activities for disrupting regional peace and stability. Command spokesperson Tian Junli reiterated China's opposition to 'external interference' in what Beijing regards as its sovereign waters. These developments come on the heels of a prominent maritime cooperative exercise involving three Indian Navy warships joining the Philippine Navy in joint combat drills, as USNI News reported.

During the exercise, two PLAN warships shadowed the operations, which took place within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone but also within China's controversial 10-dash line claim. USNI News highlighted concurrent patrols by the Chinese Coast Guard at Scarborough Shoal, a sensitive regional flashpoint. The timing coincides with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos's visit to New Delhi, where India and the Philippines upgraded their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, further unsettling Beijing.

India's growing involvement in the South China Sea represents a significant strategic shift beyond its traditional sphere of influence. USNI News notes that New Delhi's arms exports to the Philippines, notably the delivery of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, challenge China's maritime dominance. Meanwhile, China maintains recent maneuvers as routine, but USNI News indicates a heightened concern in Beijing over a multilateral coalition supporting Manila, incorporating the U.S., Australia, Japan, and European allies asserting navigational rights against Chinese claims.

As new military pacts, arms deals, and joint patrols intensify, the South China Sea is poised for a more dangerous phase of great power competition, reports USNI News.

(With inputs from agencies.)