New Delhi, July 21 -- Philippines Ambassador to India Josel F Ignacio on Tuesday said that the BrahMos missile system has given the Philippines "credible deterrence" in the South China Sea to counter China's growing presence in the resource-rich region, while describing India as one of the country's top "potential providers" for future defence acquisitions.

Highlighting the growing defence partnership between the two countries, Ignacio said the BrahMos acquisition has been a significant milestone and an important high point in India-Philippines defence cooperation.

"The BrahMos was a very good opening, and it's an important high point. I have to say that the expansion of our defence relationship with India started over, even over, a dec...