The Indo-Pacific faces an array of asymmetric security challenges, particularly in its maritime domain. This includes the blatant disregard by antagonistic and coercive states of their neighbors’ national sovereignty and territorial integrity through regular encroachment, the presence of maritime militias, and the enforcement of the cabbage strategy and other gray zone activities.

In response to the evolving security landscape, states cooperate in different forms, levels, and sectors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has several initiatives to promote a peaceful and stable maritime environment, including the negotiations of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in 2002. The negotiations are anchored on the Charter of the United Nations, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and other universally recognized principles of international law. For its part, the Philippines hosted the latest round of negotiations in August 2023. On top of this, the Southeast Asian countries are joined by their partners in the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in fostering dialogue in the Indo-Pacific.

One of ASEAN’s important dialogue partners is India, with whom the Philippines share common interests in ensuring maritime security. At the 5^th meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held on 29 June 2023 in New Delhi, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar acknowledged the growing importance of the maritime sector for both countries and welcomed the bilateral Maritime Dialogue and the increased cooperation on hydrography. They emphasized the utility of maritime domain awareness and in this context called for early operationalization of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the White Shipping Agreement between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG).  Both countries agreed to work on their robust defense and security partnership over the years with an intention to continue strengthening these collaborative efforts in maintaining a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. 

Following the two biggest regional meetings this September, the 43^rd ASEAN Summit and the 18^th East Asia Summit, ADRi organized a two-day hybrid forum entitled, “Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: The Role of ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners”, on September 12 (Tuesday) and 14 (Thursday), 2023.

Part 1 was held on September 12 (Tuesday), and was the inaugural Philippines-India Track 2.0 Maritime Dialogue, developed in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs – Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, the Embassy of India in Manila, and our institutional partners the National Maritime Foundation of India. Part 2 was held on September 14 (Thursday) and concentrated on the outcomes of the ASEAN and East Asian Summits.

The event, in two parts, aimed to bring together government officials, members of the diplomatic community, scholars, and policy experts in an in-person discussion to exchange views on enhancing collaboration with like-minded states in response to the rising tensions and asymmetric security challenges in the region’s maritime domain.