The Philippines and India are set to enhance their partnership as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. heads to New Delhi on April 23.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Locsin's first official visit to New Delhi will be until April 26, 2022.
Locsin's visit came on the heels of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s visit to Manila in February 2022.
According to the DFA, the two foreign ministers are expected to discuss follow-up actions on various areas of cooperation, particularly on defense, maritime, health, and trade and investments. They will likewise exchange views on regional and international developments.
"The two foreign ministers are also set to witness the signing of the agreement on customs matters," the DFA said.
Aside from his meeting with Jaishankar, Locsin is scheduled to participate in the Raisina Dialogue, where he will expound on Philippine foreign policy perspectives on pressing issues affecting the region and the world.
"This is the second successive year that Secretary Locsin will participate in the forum, after participating virtually last year," the DFA noted.
Inaugurated in 2016, the Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion involving heads of state, cabinet ministers, and local government officials, joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media, and academia.