The Philippines and India are set to conduct their “first-ever” bilateral maritime patrol within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea.

The announcement came from Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. aboard the Indian Navy ship INS Shakti on Thursday evening.

The joint undertaking is a direct outcome of the Raisina Dialogue 2025, a prestigious global forum held in New Delhi, India. Brawner’s participation marked the AFP’s inaugural presence at the dialogue, which convenes policymakers, military officials, and experts to discuss critical security and defense issues.

“In that bilateral meeting, I invited the Indian Armed Forces to come to the Philippines to join our joint sail. And so here we are now four months after that bilateral meeting with this port call of these three Indian Navy [vessels],” Brawner said, highlighting the swift progression of their defense cooperation.

The docking of the Indian destroyers is more than a mere ceremonial visit, Brawner emphasized.

“It precedes a significant milestone — he first ever joint maritime patrol between the Philippine Navy and the Indian Navy in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

The coordinated patrol, he stressed, serves as a “clear demonstration” of both nations’ shared commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation and upholding international maritime law in a region vital to global trade and security.