Philippine, Indian navies begin first joint South China Sea patrols

A crew member stands by INS Delhi, an Indian Navy destroyer armed with BrahMos missiles, docked at Manila port. - AFP

MANILA: Indian Navy warships have begun patrolling areas of the disputed South China Sea with their Philippine counterparts for the first time, Manila's military said Monday (Aug 4).

The two-day sail includes three Indian vessels and started Sunday, a day ahead of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' scheduled trip to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.