Indian Navy Ships Dock at Subic Bay for ASEAN Defence Meet

Two Indian Navy warships, INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish, arrived at Subic Bay in the Philippines on September 20, 2026, to take part in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Joint Cooperation Activity, the Navy said in a statement.

The visit forms part of an ongoing operational deployment by the Indian Navy and brings the two vessels together with maritime forces from ASEAN member states and the grouping’s eight dialogue partner countries, known as the “Plus” nations, for a round of joint drills and professional exchanges. The ADMM-Plus JCA is designed to build interoperability among participating navies, deepen mutual understanding of regional maritime challenges, and strengthen cooperation across the wider Indo-Pacific maritime domain.

New Delhi has framed the deployment as an extension of its Act East Policy and its broader MAHASAGAR vision, both of which emphasize sustained engagement with Southeast Asian and Pacific partners on maritime security. Officials said the port call underscores India’s commitment to multilateral cooperation at sea and to working constructively with regional stakeholders on shared concerns in the maritime space.

The stop at Subic Bay also carries bilateral significance for India-Philippines ties, which have gathered pace over the past year. The two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in August 2025, and this latest naval engagement builds on that foundation, offering an opportunity to reinforce professional links and expand maritime cooperation between the two navies.

During the port call, Indian naval personnel are expected to engage with counterparts from participating countries through a mix of professional interactions and operational activities, part of a broader effort to foster interoperability and trust among regional maritime forces ahead of and during the joint activity.

The Indian Navy has periodically deployed ships to Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific in recent years as part of its outreach strategy, using such visits to combine military diplomacy with practical cooperation on issues like maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, and freedom of navigation.

Further details on the specific exercises and engagements planned during the Sahyadri and Kulish’s stay at Subic Bay, including the full roster of participating ASEAN and Plus nations, are expected to be released as the JCA proceeds.