China has escalated naval and coast guard operations in the South China Sea, responding to a joint patrol by India and the Philippines involving three Indian warships and two Philippine frigates, emphasizing a strategic partnership formalized during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’s visit to New Delhi. The exercises, which included various combat drills within the Philippines’ EEZ, have drawn sharp condemnation from Beijing, reflecting its concern over a growing multilateral coalition supporting Manila. India’s enhanced military cooperation with the Philippines, particularly through the supply of BrahMos missiles, marks a significant shift towards counterbalancing China’s maritime claims, underscoring the increasing complexity of regional security dynamics amid great power competition.