Tag: Philippines

As India and the Philippines celebrate 75 years of their diplomatic relations, it is pertinent to note that both have traversed a long path in their bilateral journey, holding common position on sensitive multilateral and regional issues, writes Mahesh Ranjan Debata 

On November 13, External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr Subramaniam Jaishankar, along with the Ambassador of the Philippines to India Josel F Ignacio and the Vice-Minister of Tourism of the Philippines Maria Rica C. Bueno released a joint logo, commemorating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. 

The logo has elements of the countries’ national flags and birds, signifying “enduring friendship, cultural bonds and shared values” they have maintained and sustained for over seven decades. 

What is more important about this special occasion is that it coincides with the completion of 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government’s Act East Policy, within the ambit of which India shares a special relationship with this Southeast Asian nation. 

The last couple of months have been eventful regarding the bilateral relationship between the two countries. 

On September 9, 2024, during the 14th India-Philippines Policy Consultation Talks and the Fifth Strategic Dialogue, and subsequently on the occasion of first ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue a month later on October 16, 2024, India and the Philippines agreed to enhance the existing cooperation in almost all the sectors, such as “defence and security, the maritime domain, trade and investment, healthcare, education, energy, agriculture, digital and financial technology, space, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.” They vowed to take it to a new height. 

Joint Commission of India-Philippines Bilateral Cooperation 

The last one and half decades have witnessed a “growing and dynamic bilateral partnership” with the establishment of the Joint Commission on India-Philippines Bilateral Cooperation in 2011. The Joint Commission met further in 2013, 2015, 2020 and 2023, alternatively in New Delhi and Manila, providing the much-needed fillip to the bilateral relationship between the two through the signing of Joint Statements on their overall relationship. 

It is essential to mention the outcomes of two Joint Commission meetings in 2013 and 2023. The Joint Commission meeting on October 21, 2013 emphasized the need to convene a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in 2014 at New Delhi, which symbolized the commitment of both nations to combat the global menace. 

Last year (2023), India’s EAM and his Filipino counterpart discussed substantial cooperation in the above  mentioned sectors. They signed the Joint Statement on the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation on June 29, 2023, which covered all the elements of bilateral cooperation. Both leaders stressed further expansion of cooperation in the two most important sectors, such as defence and trade. 

Defence Cooperation 

Defence cooperation included regular high-level interaction and dialogue between both countries’ defence agencies, training, and joint military exercises, and opening an Indian resident Defence Attache office in the Filipino capital. India agreed to extend a concessional Line of Credit to meet the defence requirements of the Philippines. 

Within the ambit of this bilateral defence cooperation, the Philippines became the first overseas client of India’s Brahmos shore-based anti-ship missile. BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract for a $375 million deal with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines on January 28, 2022 for supplying Brahmos missiles. This significantly boosts bilateral defence cooperation, specifically in India’s endeavour to become a major arms supplier worldwide under its ambitious ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ programme. 

Trade Cooperation 

Trade has remained the mainstay of New Delhi-Manila overall cooperation in the last few decades. Trade between India and its Southeast Asian neighbour has increased in the last one and half a dozen years. 

As per the Indian Commerce Ministry’s latest export-import data, the bilateral trade rose from $1 billion in 2010 to $ 1.9 billion in 2017 and nearly $3.6 billion in 2023-2024. During this period, India’s exports to the Philippines were $2.1 billion, and imports were almost $1.5 billion. 

During the second quarter (April-August) of 2024-2025, the trade between the two countries was $1.337 billion. During this period, India’s exports were $931 million, and imports from the Philippines were $406 million. 

Cooperation on Critical Regional and Global issues 

In addition to cooperation at the bilateral level, both countries have a common position on sensitive multilateral issues (working within the ambit of the UN, terrorism, and climate change.) and regional issues (cooperation within the ASEAN framework, Indo-Pacific, etc.) 

The steadfast support from Manila for India’s constant efforts for reform in the UN, especially in the UN Security Council, has added a new feather to their bilateral cooperation on international issues. 

Manila’s appreciation for the successful organization of the Voice of the Global South Summit in India last year (2023) symbolizes their decade-long relations and efforts towards the developing world. 

Besides, both countries have mutually agreed on a “free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region” so that this region is immune from any geopolitical tensions. 

In addition, both countries have shown tremendous interest in highlighting how bilateral cultural connection matters the most in realizing the potential of their bilateral partnership. 

Conclusion 

Suppose one analyses the bilateral engagement between India and the Philippines in the last 75 years. In that case, he can deduce that the two countries’ friendship, relationship and partnership are based on their mutual trust, understanding, and agreement on various bilateral issues, from trade and investment to defence and security to a joint stand on regional and global issues. 

Both nations know that specific problems, such as non-traditional security threats, confront humanity daily. Therefore, they make no stone unturned to raise concerns over these issues at regional and global fora. 

The way this relationship has progressed in the last decade or so, one can quickly sum up that this will herald a new-age Strategic Partnership auguring well for both nations. For India, the Philippines has been and will be helpful in future in realizing its engagement with Southeast Asian countries under the auspices of its ambitious Act East Policy. For the Philippines, India will be a friend in the coming times. 

(The writer teaches at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; views expressed here are his own) – India News Network ‘

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External Affairs Minister on Wednesday attended the celebrations marking 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic ties. …reports Asian Lite News

As India and the Philippines celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) unveiled a special logo to commemorate the milestone. 

The logo, shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, symbolizes the enduring friendship, cultural exchange, and shared values between the two nations. 

Jaiswal shared the logo image on X and wrote, “Commemorating 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic ties. This enchanting logo unveiled by EAM @DrSJaishankar and Amb. Josel Ignacio @PHinIndia symbolizes the enduring friendship, cultural exchange and shared values between India and the Philippines.” 

He added, “The logo’s design reflects the harmonious blend of Filipino and Indian symbolism, highlighting the mutual respect and understanding fostered by 75 years of diplomatic relations.” 

External Affairs Minister on Wednesday attended the celebrations marking 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic ties. 

During his address, Jaishankar highlighted the robust ties between India and the Philippines, rooted in “shared democratic values, pluralistic ethos, and economic commonalities.” 

“Our ties are rooted in democratic values, pluralistic ethos and economic commonalities. We are both nations deeply committed to upholding international law, norms and rules. The last few years have seen a particularly significant growth in our ties…,” Jaishankar said. 

The EAM further emphasised the growing trade between the two countries in various sectors including IT, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, automobiles, textiles, and FMCG. 

“Our trade is steadily expanding, seeking to capture the potential provided by our high growth rates Indian investments and projects in the Philippines have been robust and multiplied, especially in IT, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, automobiles, textiles, and FMCG,” Jaishankar said. 

He added, “Our defence and security collaboration has also moved forward. It is supported by converging assessments and interests in the Indo-Pacific.” 

Following the event, Jaishankar also shared a post on X and expressed gratitude adding that he also highlighted the logo, which captures both nations’ special relations 

“Glad to attend the celebrations marking 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic ties. The logo for the occasion captures our special relations rooted in democratic values, pluralistic ethos and economic commonalities,” Jaishankar said. 

Our convergences and shared interest in the Indo-Pacific have contributed to the strengthening of ties. India- Philippines friendship is truly an enduring one that is poised to now move to a higher orbit. he added. 

Notably, India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations on November 26, 1949, shortly after both countries gained independence. (ANI) 

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The co-chairs reviewed the outcomes of the third Service-to-Service interactions held on September 10 and expressed happiness…reports Asian Lite News

The fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) convened in Manila on September 11. During the meeting, Indian and Philippine defence officials engaged in wide-ranging discussions, spanning both bilateral and multilateral issues.

The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his counterpart Senior Undersecretary, Ministry of National Defence of Philippines Irineo Cruz Espino.

The co-chairs reviewed the outcomes of the third Service-to-Service interactions held on September 10 and expressed happiness at the overall enhancement in bilateral defence cooperation across all sectors, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

Aramane appreciated the Self-Reliance Defence Posture Act of the Philippines government for modernising its Armed Forces. He highlighted that India has also laid out a similar vision for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Under this vision, the Indian defence industry is continuously enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and is exporting equipment to the world, he added.

Aramane also invited the Philippines to partner with the Indian defence industry in the co-development and co-production of equipment. The Philippines also invited investments in long-term equity partnership towards promoting assured supply chains. It acknowledged and appreciated India’s functioning and proven template of defence industry indigenisation, the release said.

Both the sides affirmed the commitment to support each other to achieve the goal of self-reliance in defence production. They appreciated the operationalisation of White Shipping Information Exchange and the opening of the defence wing at Embassy of India, Manila, in the near future.

While welcoming the Philippines as a coordinating country for India in ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, the Defence Secretary discussed ways and means to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums. India and the Philippines have a vigorous and multifaceted relationship which has expanded into several strategic areas, including defence and security, the release added.

During the visit, the Defence Secretary also called on Secretary of National Defence, Philippines (Defence Minister of Philippines) Gilbert Eduardo Gerardo Cojuangco Teodoro Jr. and conveyed the greetings of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh. Earlier, he was received with a full Guard of Honour at the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The JDCC construct has been established under the ambit of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation between India and the Philippines signed in 2006. In the 75th year of diplomatic relations and 10 years of Act East policy, the co-chairmanship of JDCC is upgraded to Secretary-level.

Notably, the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee construct was established under the ambit of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed between the two countries in 2006.

Relations between the two nations have been friendly with shared values and commonalities, like vibrant democratic polity, pluralistic society, rule of law, an independent judiciary and free press, and the widespread use of the English language. (ANI)

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The Embassy has ensured language support with IVRS available in English, Hindi, and Tagalog to assist in the process…reports Asian Lite News

The Embassy of India in Manila has announced special provisions for Filipino nationals and foreign residents seeking urgent medical treatment in India.

In an advisory issued recently, the Embassy highlighted that individuals requiring medical care for critical conditions such as life-threatening diseases, congenital illnesses, organ transplants, oncology, and paediatric ailments should contact the Consular Wing of the Embassy.

“All Filipino Nationals (including Children) and Foreign Nationals who wish to go to India for availing Urgent Medical Treatment/Care including for life threatening diseases/congenital illnesses/transplantation/oncology/pediatrics complaints among others are kindly requested to approach the Consular Wing of the Embassy,” a statement from Indian Embassy in Philippines read.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Consular Wing in person at their office located in Bonifacio Global City or reach out via email or telephone for assistance in obtaining the necessary visas and facilitation for medical visits to India. The Embassy has ensured language support with IVRS available in English, Hindi, and Tagalog to assist in the process.

Additionally, the advisory extends the invitation to those interested in alternative medicine services such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) available in India.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and philanthropic groups from the Philippines focused on improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for Filipino nationals are also encouraged to collaborate with the Embassy to facilitate medical treatments.

“Non-Government/Philanthropic Organizations who are based in the Philippines and working towards making healthcare affordable and accessible to Filipinos seeking Urgent/Tertiary/Advanced Medical Treatment/Care are also invited to approach the Consular Wing of the Embassy,” statement added.

In cases of emergencies requiring immediate medical attention during closed holidays or weekends, a dedicated emergency mobile number has been provided for direct assistance.

The Embassy further emphasized the convenience of obtaining E-Medical Visas through their online portal, ensuring a hassle-free application process.

This initiative underscores India’s commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare solutions and facilitating medical tourism for international patients, especially from the Philippines, seeking advanced medical treatments in various specialties. (ANI)

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