Manila: The first joint maritime drills conducted by the Philippines and India have triggered a rival exercise by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines and India held a two-day patrol from Sunday to Monday, marking the first such joint maritime activity in the South China Sea between the two nations, the Philippines' military said.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Indian Navy conducted their first-ever Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity from August 3 to 4, as announced by the Filipino army on X. The Indian Navy participated with the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi, the tanker INS Shakti, and the corvette INS Kiltan, while the Philippines sent two frigates, the BRP Miguel Malvar and the BRP Jose Rizal.

The Philippines' military also reported that one of its aircraft spotted and tracked a Chinese destroyer about 26 nautical miles northwest of its ships on Sunday. In response to the drills, the Chinese military announced on Monday that routine patrols were conducted by Chinese forces in the South China Sea from Sunday to Monday. Military spokesperson Tian Junli stated that the Philippines had teamed up with non-regional countries to arrange "joint patrols," actions that he argued have undermined peace and stability in the region.

Tian emphasized that the troops of the Southern Theater Command are on constant high alert to protect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, according to a statement from the Chinese Defense Ministry. The vessels of China and the Philippines have witnessed several encounters in the disputed waters of the mineral-rich South China Sea, where the two have overlapping claims.

The drills coincide with the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's announcement on Monday of his intention to elevate bilateral ties with India during his five-day visit to New Delhi. "Our cooperation will intensify further and become even more impactful in many areas that we had not explored with India before, such as defense, trade and investment, health, tourism, and other areas," Marcos said, according to the Philippine News Agency.