* India has offered the Philippines help in bolstering its defense capability through the acquisition of naval assets and expansion of maritime training.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar hold a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on June 29, 2023. (Photo courtesy of DFA)
During the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in India, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar agreed on strengthening the two countries' defense cooperation. One of the proposals to boost both countries' defense pact was India's offer for a concessional line of credit to support the upgrading of the Philippines’ defense requirements. This includes the acquisition of naval assets, and expansion of training and joint exercises on maritime security and disaster response, among others. Both ministers also expressed keen interest in conducting official level interaction of both sides' defense agencies and opening of the resident Defense Attaché office in Manila. The two leaders also acknowledged the growing importance of the maritime sector for both countries as they welcomed the bilateral Maritime Dialogue and the increased cooperation on hydrography. Both leaders 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). They are also keen on signing the memorandum of understanding on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and PCG. The two officials also underlined the need for peaceful settlement of disputes and for adherence to international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea given to the Philippines. Manalo was in India from June 27 to 30. The bilateral meeting was held on June 29 in New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar hold a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on June 29, 2023. (Photo courtesy of DFA)
During the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in India, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar agreed on strengthening the two countries' defense cooperation. One of the proposals to boost both countries' defense pact was India's offer for a concessional line of credit to support the upgrading of the Philippines’ defense requirements. This includes the acquisition of naval assets, and expansion of training and joint exercises on maritime security and disaster response, among others. Both ministers also expressed keen interest in conducting official level interaction of both sides' defense agencies and opening of the resident Defense Attaché office in Manila. The two leaders also acknowledged the growing importance of the maritime sector for both countries as they welcomed the bilateral Maritime Dialogue and the increased cooperation on hydrography. Both leaders 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). They are also keen on signing the memorandum of understanding on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and PCG. The two officials also underlined the need for peaceful settlement of disputes and for adherence to international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea given to the Philippines. Manalo was in India from June 27 to 30. The bilateral meeting was held on June 29 in New Delhi.