The Ministry of Defence announced that two Indian Navy vessels have reached the Philippines to join a major regional maritime exercise. Ships Sahyadri and Kulish docked at Subic Bay on 20 September 2026 to take part in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA). The exercise brings together warships and naval personnel from countries across Southeast Asia and beyond.
What the exercise involves
The ADMM-Plus JCA is a gathering of maritime forces from all ASEAN member nations plus eight additional countries. The activity focuses on three main goals: improving how different navies work together, building professional understanding among participating forces, and deepening cooperation on ocean-related security matters.
Indian participation reflects two strategic frameworks. The first is India’s Act East Policy, which emphasizes engagement with Asian neighbours. The second is MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. This vision guides India’s approach to working with countries in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
The deployment offers Indian Navy personnel a chance to work directly with other maritime forces. Through these interactions, participating navies can better understand common challenges they face at sea and coordinate responses.
The port visit also builds on the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership established in August 2025. Beyond the multilateral exercise, the arrival of Indian ships strengthens direct military ties between the two countries and opens doors for future joint operations.
What this means for you
This deployment shows India working to strengthen its standing in maritime security across Asia. For ordinary citizens, it reflects India’s effort to maintain peaceful but strong relationships with neighbouring countries and shape regional stability through dialogue and professional military cooperation rather than confrontation. The exercise demonstrates how naval forces can work together on shared ocean security without tension.