India’s economic investments in Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in line with the principles of ‘Look East’ and ‘Act East’ are also the subject of a long-term competition with great powers such as China and Japan. East Asian countries, which are trying to increase their production and diversify their exports under the crises and geopolitical risks affecting the world, continue to make moves to strengthen their maritime trade routes in this direction. In this respect, port investments in Southeast Asia have gained great importance.
For example, China, in its Maritime Silk Road Initiative, has focused on the development of ports and thus aimed to secure supply chains. It is claimed that India may now follow a similar policy, which is also characterised as the ‘String of Pearls Strategy’. In this context, India’s deep-sea port investments in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Philippines may signal a deepening regional rivalry with China.[1]
It is also noteworthy that the Philippines, which has maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea, cooperates with India in the development of ports. Accordingly, Adani Group, one of the largest private port operators of India, is planning to develop a port in Bataan province of the Philippines.[2]
In addition to ports, the Indian company also aims to invest in airports, energy and defence sectors in the Philippines. In this context, on 2 May 2024, Karan Adani, Managing Director of the Adani Group, met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacanang to discuss these plans. President Marcos Jr. welcomed the Adani Group’s plans and said that the company could focus on agribusiness.[3]
The influence of the United States of America (USA) on India’s investments in the Philippines can also be mentioned. As a matter of fact, it is stated that India and the US are in talks to launch joint development initiatives in the Philippines.[4] The Philippines, which has become an important ally of the US in recent years, has been experiencing maritime disputes with China and has been looking for new supporters in this regard. In this respect, India supports the Philippines’ arguments since it has been experiencing border problems with China for many years. These common interests make it easier for the Philippines and India to come together. One of these areas is regional security issues and defence industry cooperation.
The Philippines has recently increased its defence purchases from India, including the BrahMos missile. As a reminder, in January 2022, the two countries signed a $375 million agreement paving the way for intergovernmental agreements on BrahMos and other defence cooperation. Two years after the signing of the agreement, the first batch of ammunition arrived in the Philippines. The system, which can be deployed on submarines, ships, aircraft or land-based platforms, consists of two missile launchers, a radar unit and a command and control centre. Within 10 seconds, two missiles can be fired from these systems, reaching a speed of Mach 2.8, almost three times the speed of sound.[5]
India aims to play a key role in the Philippines’ military modernisation plan. In this context, Indian defence companies have increased their contacts in Manila to showcase their military equipment and explore potential partnerships. At a time of escalating tensions between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, New Delhi’s military support to Manila has drawn a strong reaction from Beijing.[6] In an article published in China’s leading Global Times website on this issue, it was emphasised that India is siding with the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute, thus aiming to put more pressure on China and ultimately actively joining the ‘anti-China club’.[7]
India’s economic and military cooperation with the Philippines is also supported in the political arena. On 26 March 2024, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid an official visit to the Philippines, where he made important contacts and reiterated his country’s support for the sovereignty of the Philippines. During the Indian Foreign Minister’s visit to the Philippines, an Indian Coast Guard vessel also visited the Port of Manila. Both countries lauded maritime co-operation. Mr Jaishankar highlighted the support provided by the Indian Navy to the Philippines to ensure safety of maritime navigation.
India, which is currently experiencing border tensions with China and therefore does not interfere much in the South China Sea issues, is signalling that it will abandon this policy in the near future. This may be an indication that the India-China rivalry has started to spread from land to seas. The Philippines may become the main focus of this dangerous rivalry. From this point on, if India becomes more involved in the affairs in China’s near seas, for example, if it expands its military partnerships with the Philippines, the security environment in the South China Sea may irreparably deteriorate.
[1] “Right Next To China — India To Invest In Deep Water Port In Philippines After Iran, Sri Lanka, Myanmar & Oman”, Eurasian Times, https://www.eurasiantimes.com/right-under-chinas-nose-india-to-invest/, (Erişim Tarihi: 08.05.2024).
[2] Ibıd.
[3]“Adani looks to develop port in Philippines”, Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/adani-looks-to-develop-port-in-philippines/articleshow/109826079.cms, (Erişim Tarihi: 08.05.2024).
[4] “India and US plan development projects in the Philippines”, Live Mint, https://www.livemint.com/news/world/india-and-us-plan-development-projects-in-the-philippines-11705666098149.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 08.05.2024).
[5] “India delivers first batch of BrahMos missile system to Philippines”, Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-delivers-first-batch-of-brahmos-missile-system-to-philippines/articleshow/109430617.cms, (Erişim Tarihi: 08.05.2024).
[6] “India eyes key role in the Philippines’ military modernisation plan”, Asia News, https://asianews.network/india-eyes-key-role-in-the-philippines-military-modernisation-plan/, (Erişim Tarihi: 08.05.2024).
[7]“India is naive to interfere in South China Sea issue”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202403/1309638.shtml, (Erişim Tarihi: 08.05.2024).
