With anti-China sentiment running strongly around the world and especially in the Indo-Pacific region, the country of Philippines is sending out fresh hints for alliance towards New Delhi. This comes in the wake of the military stand-off between India and China in Galwan valley.
The Phillippines Navy Chief Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo J.Bacordo recently thanked the Indian Navy for the invaluable alliance it has with the country. This is after the Indian Navy rescued a Phillippines Navy Ship after it caught wire in its engine room and even repaired the ship for free of cost in the shipyard of Kochi. In the incident, India rescued two Filipino Navy officers and treated them at the INHS Sanjivani. The officers had injured with second-degree burns. One of them has been taken to a Hospital in Bengaluru for treatment.
The Phillippines Navy Chief wrote a letter to the Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and wrote,
“Your support in this unfortunate accident is way beyond our expectations and it is a testament of your sincerity in deepening our Navy to Navy partnership. Rest assured that the Philippine Navy remains committed to this partnership. We hope to expand this relationship as we seek better ways to make our seas safer and more secure for everyone..fervent wishes for your continuing success in leading the Indian Navy’s sustained resolve to be a global maritime force.”
The Philippines Against Chinese Aggression
With this letter, the Philippines are sending out a hint for India to counter the Chinese aggression in the South China sea. China has been aggressively moving in the South China Sea which is against the interest of Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte was earlier seen as a Pro-China leader but has changed his stance after China tried to revise the claims in the strategic waterways. Every now and then, China tries to invade the territorial waters of other countries in the South China Sea.
In the backdrop of Indo-China military stand-off, the Philippines have made a smart strategic move by seeking a partnership with the Indian Navy. India has already begun to gain control over the Indo-Pacific region by signing pacts with key players like Australia and the United States. India is also likely to help the Philippines as long as it pushes China to the backfoot.
Source: TFI
