The Philippines, Japan and India are entering into a trilateral cooperation as the three maritime nations now see the need to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taking inspiration from a 2007 pronouncement made by the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before the Indian Parliament, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said a maritime partnership among the three countries has become necessary because "the Pacific and Indian Oceans are now bringing about a dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity."

Meanwhile, Kenichi Matsuda, Japan's Deputy Chief of Mission in the Philippines, said, that the rising geopolitical tensions in the region exposes the increasing convergence of traditional and non-traditional security threats.

At a forum organized by international think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, Lazaro said the Indo-Pacific already attracted a confluence of interest given its economic interest, so "current realities, both geopolitical and economic, have paved the way for these arrangements."

"Now more than ever, our unified efforts in securing the regional and global commons are the greatest equalizer in upholding the rule-based order," Kenichi added.

There will be several phases of the cooperation that the three nations will enter into, according to Lazaro.

"The early concept behind trilateral cooperation was economic, particularly development, in nature and it is only apropos that synergies and value-enhancement in this area be one of the cornerstones for this type of cooperation," Lazaro said.

The official also said infrastructure connectivity can be explored, citing its importance for the transport and logistics systems "given the breadth of the Indo-Pacific region."

"Infrastructure connectivity shortens distance and increases productivity. The resulting benefits are manifold, among which are increased intra-regional trade, supply chain efficiency and travel mobility," she said.

Green transformation can also be pursued, she said. Such partnership may serve as a way "to effectively adapt to the impacts of climate change and create greener growth pathways," she said.

"The Philippines, India and Japan can learn from their best practices, know-how and technology in pursuing the greening of crucial economic sectors that weigh heavily on the environment. The Philippines notes that India and Japan are way ahead in this game," she added.

Lazaro asserted that a trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Japan and India presents enormous opportunities for the three countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

The ties, she said, will not only give opportunities "on the prospect of new strategic partnerships and security architecture but also and most importantly in the field of the economic and development ventures where its ripple effects are directly felt by the people," she added.

"Guided by the spirit of co-creation, a triangular partnership between the Philippines, India and Japan can bring about a nexus of sustainable and collaborative efforts that may shape the future of the Indo-Pacific region in the coming years," Kenichi said.