Warships from India, US, Japan, Philippines exercise in South China Sea in show of strength to China

NEW DELHI: In a clear show of force to China in the South China Sea, where it is locked in bitter territorial disputes with its neighbours, warships from India, the US, Japan and Philippines have conducted six-day naval drills in the contentious waterway.
The coordinated “group sail” from May 3 to 9 included Indian guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet tanker INS Shakti, American destroyer USS Williams P Lawrence, Japanese helicopter carrier JMSDF Izumo and destroyer JMSDF Murasame and Philippines frigate BRP Andres Bonifaci.
“The group sail was aimed to deepen the existing partnership and foster mutual understanding among the participating navies. It showcased India’s commitment to operating with like-minded nations to ensure safe maritime environment through enhanced inter-operability,” said Indian Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma.

In the backdrop of China’s aggressive and expansionist behavior in the South China Sea, India has consistently reiterated the need for all countries to respect the freedom of navigation in international waters and overflight consistent with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982.
“The warships from the four countries in South China Sea undertook various exercises, which included formation manoeuvering, underway replenishment runs, cross-deck flying and exchange of sea riders,” said Captain Sharma.
The captain of the US destroyer, Commander Andrew J Klug, in turn, said, “Professional engagements with our allies, partners and friends in the region are opportunities to build upon our existing, strong relationships.”
With an eye firmly on China, which is rapidly expanding its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean, India has stepped up defence cooperation, ranging from expansion in military visits and exercises to training and technology-sharing, with countries like Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia in the region.
Destroyer INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti, incidentally, recently participated in the international fleet review at Qingdao in China after conducting an exercise with Vietnamese warships off the Cam Ranh International Bay as part of their deployment to the South and East China Seas.