India-Philippines first bilateral naval exercise in the South China Sea: Why it matters for the UPSC Exam

Indian Express

2 days ago

Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your UPSC Current Affairs knowledge nugget for today on India-Philippines first bilateral naval exercise in the South China Sea.
(Relevance: India's bilateral relations with various countries form an important part of the UPSC CSE syllabus. Previously, questions have been asked on different defence exercises; for example, in Prelims 2024, UPSC asked a question about Mitra Shakti. Moreover, in Mains, questions have been asked on broader themes; for instance, on the 'String of Pearls,' China's economic influence transforming into military power, and its impact on India's strategic interests. Thus, knowing about the newly conducted first India-Philippines bilateral naval exercise and the South China Sea becomes essential.)
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr of the Philippines is set to arrive in New Delhi on August 4 in his first trip to India since assuming office in 2022, even as the two countries have begun their first bilateral naval exercise in the South China Sea. In this context, let's know about the India-Philippines' first bilateral naval exercise in the South China Sea and other important aspects related to it.
1. India and the Philippines began the two-day 'bilateral maritime cooperative activity' on Saturday (2nd of August) in waters close to the Scarborough Shoal, a focal point of the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines. Sources say India is joining these efforts owing to its shared concerns about China's growing maritime power, including in the South China Sea.
2. Defence cooperation is one of the strong pillars of bilateral relations and a promising area for future collaboration between India and the Philippines, says the website of the Indian embassy in Manila.
3. Notably, India delivered the first batch of BrahMos missile system to the Philippines on April 19, 2024, making it the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system.
4. The diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. President Marcos Jr's state visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, the MEA said.
5. The MEA statement further said that India's relations with the Philippines were an integral pillar of its 'Act East' policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and its vision of the Indo-Pacific.
As India and the Philippines held a bilateral naval exercise in the disputed South China Sea, a hotspot of regional tensions, let's understand why it matters.
1. The South China Sea is situated just south of the Chinese mainland and is bordered by the countries of Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The countries have bickered over territorial control in the sea for centuries, but in recent years tensions have soared to new heights.
2. The South China Sea is one of the most strategically critical maritime areas (more on this later) and China eyes its control to assert more power over the region. In 1947, the country, under the rule of the nationalist Kuomintang party, issued a map with the so-called 'nine-dash line'.
3. The nine-dash line essentially encircles Beijing's claimed waters and islands of the South China Sea — as much as 90% of the sea has been claimed by China. The line continued to appear in the official maps even after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came to power.
4. In the past few years, the country has also tried to stop other nations from conducting any military or economic operation without its consent, saying the sea falls under its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
5. China's sweeping claims, however, have been widely contested by other countries. In response, China has physically increased the size of islands or created new islands altogether in the sea, according to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
1. There are 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in deposits under the South China Sea, according to the estimates of the United States Energy Information Agency.
2. Moreover, the sea is home to rich fishing grounds — a major source of income for millions of people across the region. The BBC reported that more than half of the world's fishing vessels operate in this area.
3. Most significantly, the sea is a crucial trade route. 'The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that over 21% of global trade, amounting to $3.37 trillion, transited through these waters in 2016,' the news outlet added.
'String of Pearls' is a Chinese strategy involving a network of ports and facilities around the Indian Ocean Region. India's counter-strategy to China's 'string of pearls' is often described as the 'Necklace of Diamonds,' involving strategic partnerships with regional littorals, investments in port infrastructure, and presence through naval diplomacy.
The nine-dash line demarcates China's territorial claims in the sea on Chinese maps. It was initially the 'eleven-dash line' but in 1953, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-led government removed 'the portion encompassing the Gulf of Tonkin, simplifying the border to nine dashes,' Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) said.
The line runs as far as 2,000 km from the Chinese mainland to within a few hundred kilometres of the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. China's claim on the waters and islands within the boundary is based on its 'historical maritime rights'. However, the country has never clearly stated the line coordinates and the line runs many miles beyond what is allowed under the United Nations treaty on maritime territorial issues, which China has signed.
The Passage Exercise is a joint exercise that demonstrates the deepening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, showcasing a shared commitment to maritime security and robust bilateral ties. The Indian Navy's stealth frigate INS Tabar, a submarine, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft participated in a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group in the North Arabian Sea on June 9 and 10.
Varuna Exercise is a bilateral joint maritime exercise of India and France. This year it was held from 19 to 22 March 2025 off the coast of Goa. It stands as a powerful reminder of the deep bonds uniting the Indian and French Navies in their pursuit of maritime peace and security.
1. SAGAR: The 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) concept was first articulated by the Prime Minister of India in Mauritius in 2015. Under this concept, India envisages a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, one which is built on a rules-based international order, sustainable and transparent infrastructure investment, freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, mutual respect for sovereignty, peaceful resolution of disputes, as well as equality of all nations.
2. MAHASAGAR: This year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mauritius, he announced the upgradation of the comprehensive strategic partnership and enhanced SAGAR to MAHASAGAR, i.e., Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
3. The doctrine of MAHASAGAR builds on SAGAR and indicates a broadened scope of India's maritime engagement. This perceptibly includes not only the immediate neighbourhood but also extends to the broader Indo-Pacific space and connects with India's strategic collaboration with QUAD members—the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Philippines is the first foreign nation to acquire the BrahMos missile system from India.
2. The 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) concept was first articulated by the Prime Minister of India in Mauritius in 2015.
3. Varuna exercise is a bilateral joint maritime exercise of India and France.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only One
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(Sources: Amid India-Philippines naval drill in South China Sea, President Marcos Jr to arrive in New Delhi today, China-Philippines tussle: Everything you need to know about the South China Sea dispute)
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