Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan was warmly received by the Royal Brunei Navy upon its arrival at the latters' port of Muara as part of the operational deployment of Delhi's Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea, according to the press release from the Ministry of Defence
During the visit, INS Kiltan will engage in professional interactions, sports events, social exchanges, and community outreach activities, reflecting the shared values of both nations and their navies.
INS Kiltan, the third of four P28 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvettes, was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
On May 20, INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan visited Manila in the Philippines to reinforce the longstanding friendship and maritime cooperation between both nations. This visit was also part of the operational deployment of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have heightened concerning the Scarborough Shoal, as Manila adopts a more assertive stance in disputed areas.
The shoal, situated approximately 220 kilometers off the coast of the Philippines within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), serves as a traditional fishing ground utilized by multiple nations and lies adjacent to crucial shipping lanes. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an EEZ extends roughly 370 kilometers from a country's coastline. Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam also assert claims over parts of the sea.
Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels frequently visit the Philippines. Additionally, there has been an increase in the participation of military officers from both countries in specialized training courses hosted by each other, as well as visits by delegations from the National Defence College.