India joins naval exercises by US, Philippines, Japan in South China Sea

New Delhi/Washington: Indian Navy on Thursday participated with the navies of the US, the Philippines and Japan in their first joint naval exercise in the disputed South China Sea, where China is flexing its muscle.

The vessels included Indian destroyer INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti, a guided missile destroyer from the US Pacific Fleet, Japanese aircraft carrier Izumo and the Philippines patrol vessel Andres Bonifacio, the US Navy said in a statement.

"Our team was really excited to take part in this multi-lateral event," Commander Andrew J Klug, commanding officer, USS William P Lawrence, said.

"Professional engagements with our allies, partners and friends in the region are opportunities to build upon our existing, strong relationships, as well as learn from each other," Klug said.

The ships conducted formation exercises, communication drills, passenger transfers and held a leadership exchange aboard JS Izumo.

The six vessels gathered "to train together and promote maritime cooperation throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific," the Navy said in the statement.

"Our bond of friendship with our regional partners is as strong as our commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region," Captain Jerry Y Garrido Jr., commanding officer, BRP Andres Bonifacio, said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy tweeted about the drills and posted pictures of the warships that participated in the six-day group sail.

"#IndianNavy ships Kolkata & Shakti carry out Group Sail with Naval ships of @JMSDF_PAO, Philippines & @USNavy in the South China Sea from 03 - 09 May 19. The six-day long Group Sail had participation of six combatants from the four participating countries," the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy tweeted.

"Besides Kolkata & Shakti, Helicopter Carrier JMSDF Izumo & Guided Missile Destroyer JMSDF Murasame of Japan; Frigate BRP Andres Bonifacio of Philippines and Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer USS Williams P Lawrence of USA participated," it tweeted.

Coordinated ASW ex involving LRMRASW ac P8i, Seaking & Lynx helicopters in close support of #IndianNavy ships Mumbai, Chennai & @MarineNationale ship Latouche Treville through the night 2/2 pic.twitter.com/z0urr7glLP

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 10, 2019

#ExVARUNA sea phase Day 3 saw multi-helicopter operations with cross deck landings. VBSS ops & towing exercise between @MarineNationale & #IndianNavy ships. Fighter ac ops in a high intensity combat exercise incl firing on Pigeon Island off Goa 1/n pic.twitter.com/LVs2xohSVT

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 10, 2019

The combined show of naval might comes at a time of heightened tensions in the trade war between China and the US - the two world powers locked in a tussle for the commercial control of South China Sea, which serves as a passage for annual trade worth USD 3.5 trillion.

China claims almost all of the strategic South China Sea with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam pushing competing claims to parts of the resource-rich maritime region. The United States, Japan and India do not have any territorial claims there.

Islands in the South China Sea - is an area which accounts for 12 per cent of global fishing and through which 30 per cent of the world's trade passes, apart from housing possible oil and gas reserve.