As part of the Indian Navy’s Operational Deployment, Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 20 September 2026 to participate in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Joint Cooperation Activity (JCA).

The ADMM-Plus JCA brings together maritime forces from ASEAN member states and over eight countries for professional and operational engagements aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening cooperation in the maritime domain.

The participation of Indian Naval Ships in the ADMM-Plus JCA is in consonance with the government of India’s Act East Policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), underscoring India’s continued commitment to multilateral maritime cooperation and constructive engagement with regional partners. The deployment will provide opportunities for the Indian Navy to interact with participating maritime forces through professional and operational engagements, contributing to greater understanding of shared maritime challenges.

The port call also reflects the growing maritime engagement between India and the Philippines. Building upon recent bilateral engagements and the establishment of the India–Philippines Strategic Partnership in August 2025, the deployment provides an opportunity to further strengthen professional linkages and maritime cooperation between the two countries.