Indian Naval Ships INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish are participating in the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) in the Philippines on Tuesday, September 29. The exercise brings Indian naval vessels together with ships from ASEAN member states for maritime cooperation and operational engagement.The participating vessels include India's INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish, along with the Philippines' BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Tarlac and Singapore's RSS Justice, according to the IANS report. The exercise is aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between India and ASEAN countries.Which naval ships are participating?INS Sahyadri is an Indian Navy frontline stealth frigate, while INS Kulish is a missile corvette. Both ships have been deployed for India's maritime engagements with regional partner countries.The Philippines is represented by BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Tarlac, while Singapore is participating through RSS Justice. The presence of naval ships from India, the Philippines and Singapore highlights the multinational character of the maritime exercise."The participation comes amid continued maritime engagement between India and countries in Southeast Asia. Earlier in September, INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish were also deployed to Subic Bay, Philippines, for an ADMM-Plus maritime security joint cooperation activity. The activity included professional exchanges and coordinated maritime activities."Why is the ASEAN-India maritime exercise important?The ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise provides an operational platform for participating navies to strengthen professional interaction and maritime cooperation. Such multinational engagements allow naval personnel to work with partner forces and develop greater understanding of maritime operations.India's participation also reflects its continuing engagement with ASEAN countries in the maritime domain. The Indian Defence Ministry has previously stated that India's naval engagements with ASEAN and other regional partners are intended to strengthen interoperability, mutual understanding and cooperation at sea.The exercise also adds to India's wider maritime engagement with Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. India and the Philippines have expanded their defence and maritime relationship in recent years, with the two countries establishing a Strategic Partnership in August 2025.What does the exercise mean for India-ASEAN ties?The participation of Indian Navy ships in AIME comes as India continues to deepen maritime links with ASEAN member states. Naval exercises provide opportunities for participating countries to coordinate activities, exchange professional knowledge and improve cooperation in maritime environments.For India, these engagements form part of its broader regional maritime outreach. The Defence Ministry has linked India's participation in multilateral maritime activities with its Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision, which focuses on cooperation and security across the wider region.The second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise therefore brings together naval forces from India and ASEAN countries in the Philippines for a common maritime engagement. Further details of the exercise's activities and outcomes will depend on official updates from the participating n
