India and the Philippines have staged joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea for the first time, antagonizing China.

The Philippine and Indian navies have sailed together for the first time in the South China Sea, officials said on Monday, as President Ferdinand Marcos left Manila for New Delhi for a state visit. The Philippines has conducted "maritime cooperative activities" with foreign navies since late 2023 as part of its push to counter China's expansive claims in the waterway,

The first joint maritime drills conducted by the Philippines and India have triggered a rival exercise by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.