Indian Navy ships return after exercises with Philippines fleet

Visakhapatnam: Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti and Kiltan have returned after their operational deployment with the Philippines fleet in the South China Sea.

The deployment is a testament to the interoperability between the navies of India and the Philippines, signifying the strong diplomatic and defence ties between the two countries.

The visit demonstrates India's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region through its Act East and SAGAR policies.

The port call by INS Delhi, Shakti and Kiltan had been collaborative, featuring diverse activities. These included Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) between the Indian Navy and personnel of the Philippine Navy, sports fixtures, cross-deck visits, cultural exchanges, and collaborative community outreach programmes.

During the visit, Eastern Fleet Flag Officer Commanding Rajesh Dhankhar and commanding officers of the ships interacted with Philippine Fleet Commander Renato David, and Philippine Coast Guard Junior Deputy Commandant Rolando Lizor Punzalan Jr. on matters of mutual interest and the current security situation in the region and beyond.