Subic Bay, Philippines: Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay in the Philippines on September 20, 2026, as part of the Indian Navy’s ongoing operational deployment in the region. The two warships are participating in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA), bringing together maritime forces from ASEAN countries and eight Plus nations.
The maritime activity is designed to promote professional interaction among participating navies and strengthen cooperation in the maritime domain. Through operational engagements, the participating forces will have opportunities to exchange experience, improve coordination and develop a better understanding of common maritime challenges.
India’s participation in the ADMM-Plus JCA also reflects the country’s continuing focus on strengthening security and cooperation with nations in the Indo-Pacific. The deployment is aligned with the Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
For the Indian Navy, such multilateral engagements provide an important platform for developing interoperability with partner maritime forces. Joint professional activities can help participating navies understand operational procedures, improve coordination and build relationships that can support cooperation during future maritime challenges.
Strengthening India-Philippines Maritime Cooperation
The arrival of INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish at Subic Bay also carries significance for India-Philippines maritime relations. The port call comes against the backdrop of expanding defence and strategic engagement between the two countries.
India and the Philippines established a Strategic Partnership in August 2025, providing a broader framework for cooperation across areas of mutual interest. The current naval deployment offers another opportunity for the two countries to deepen professional contacts between their maritime forces and expand practical cooperation at sea.
The Philippines occupies an important position in the Indo-Pacific, and greater engagement between Indian and Philippine maritime forces contributes to wider regional cooperation. Port visits and multilateral naval activities also create opportunities for personnel from different countries to interact beyond formal diplomatic channels.
Focus on Maritime Cooperation
The ADMM-Plus JCA brings together defence and maritime forces from across the ASEAN region and its eight Plus partners. Such activities are intended to encourage practical cooperation, mutual understanding and greater coordination among participating countries.
For India, participation in the activity represents another element of its broader engagement with Southeast Asian partners. The deployment of INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish demonstrates the Indian Navy’s participation in regional maritime initiatives while supporting India’s wider diplomatic and security engagement under the Act East Policy.
As the ships participate in the activity at Subic Bay, the engagement is expected to provide further opportunities for professional exchanges and interaction with regional maritime forces, reinforcing India’s emphasis on a cooperative and inclusive maritime environment.
