Philippines: Indian Navy Ships Sahyadri, Kulish Arrive for ADMM-Plus Maritime Activity

Indian Navy warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish have arrived at Subic Bay in the Philippines to take part in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA), marking another engagement between India and maritime forces from the Indo-Pacific region. The activity is being co-hosted by Japan and the Philippines and brings together ASEAN member states and partner countries for maritime cooperation and professional exchanges.

The participating forces are expected to conduct a range of activities aimed at improving interoperability, strengthening coordination and developing a better understanding of maritime operations among regional partners. INS Sahyadri is a Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate, while INS Kulish is a Kora-class corvette. Their participation reflects the Indian Navy’s continued engagement with regional maritime forces through multilateral exercises and cooperative activities.

The deployment is also in line with India’s Act East Policy and its broader MAHASAGAR vision, which focuses on strengthening partnerships and maritime cooperation across the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific. India and the Philippines have also expanded their defence relationship in recent years, with maritime security emerging as an important area of bilateral cooperation. The presence of the Indian warships at Subic Bay provides an opportunity for personnel from both navies to further strengthen professional ties.

The ADMM-Plus framework provides ASEAN countries and partner nations with a platform to work together on practical defence and security issues. Maritime engagements such as the current activity are intended to build operational familiarity and strengthen cooperation among participating forces. The arrival of Sahyadri and Kulish in the Philippines underscores India's continued naval outreach in the region and its participation in multilateral efforts aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation and security.