The flourishing maritime ties between the Philippines and India "offers a promising path for peace and security" in the Indo-Pacific region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday, Sep. 12.

DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro in a statement said the Philippines appreciated India's support for the country in its fight for sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, especially when its ambassador to Manila, Shambhu Kumaran, openly expressed New Delhi's backing in July.

India also recently signed a pact with Manila to undertake various efforts to ensure safe and clean seas.

In a remark delivered by DFA Assistant Secretary Patrick Chuasoto at a forum organized by Stratbase ADRi, Lazaro said the Philippine-India partnership "holds great potential, especially in light of evolving regional challenges."

She said the Philippines and India "share a deep understanding of the importance of a secure maritime environment for regional stability," which is at the core of the renewed partnership between both sides.

"We see India as kindred, a natural partner in our efforts to strengthen the rules-based international order under persistent threats to undermine," the DFA official said.

She said mutually beneficial activities "will not only strengthen our capabilities as individual countries, but also contribute to a unified approach aimed at safeguarding the maritime commons."

"This cooperative stance towards maritime stability and security will help mitigate the risks of instability," she added.

Several nations had seen China's aggression in the whole of South China Sea as threatening to peace and stability in the region.

Lazaro said the Philippines is "encouraged by the fact that India," a major global player, the world's largest democracy and the fifth largest economy, "has chosen to play by the rules rather than subscribe to the outdated notion that might is right."

"We deeply appreciate that that India is standing up to the rule of law," she said.