Philippines to sign at least 6 deals with India

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines and India are expected to sign at least six agreements during President Marcos’ state visit to New Delhi from Aug. 4 to 8, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq of the DFA’s Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs noted that areas of cooperation between the two countries are “very wide-ranging” and “we look forward to expanding them even more.”

“We have, I think, accords of six agreements to be concluded, though the working day is not yet over so we expect, I think, more to come on line,” Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq said at a pre-departure briefing at Malacañang.

“These agreements range from cooperation in law, culture, science and technology and many other areas,” she added.

Among the Cabinet members joining the President are Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Teresa Lazaro, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.

Marcos is expected to arrive in New Delhi in the afternoon of Aug. 4 and would immediately meet the Filipino community there, according to Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq.

There are approximately 1,356 registered Filipinos in India, a number of them are married to Indian nationals and are practicing professionals, she said.

In New Delhi, Marcos will meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Marcos and Modi are expected to tackle closer economic, defense and security, political, trade and investment cooperation and how to further invigorate people-to-people exchanges, Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq said.

“They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern,” she added.

However, the DFA official deferred to the defense department when asked whether the Philippines is expected to make more defense agreements with India following the purchase of several sets of the BrahMos missiles and the joint naval patrols in the West Philippine Sea next week.

“Part of our ongoing relationships with India is in maritime cooperation activities, so we look forward to expanding this – deepening our relationships and expanding our areas of cooperation,” she said.

Asked whether the two countries are exploring the possibility of forging a Reciprocal Access Agreement, she said, “There are no talks…on this matter for now.”

During his state visit, Marcos will also meet the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling and largest political party in India.

He will also hold a meeting with Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda as well as attend business events in New Delhi and in Bangalore, known as India’s Silicon Valley.

“Several Indian CEOs have requested to meet with the President, a number of host companies are in active preparations to enter the Philippine market as investors,” Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq said.

“I think a number of the companies have already some investments in the Philippines and so we’re looking to expand these investments from the same companies or to reach out to new companies,” she said.

Philippines, India navies to hold joint sail in West Philippine Sea

Philippine and Indian navy warships are now preparing for their first-ever joint sail in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to promote a fee and open Indo-Pacific.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the joint maritime cooperative activity (MCA) will be happening on Aug. 3 and 4 within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Four Indian Navy vessels, the INS Delhi, INS Mysore, INS Kiltan and INS Shakti are in the country for a port visit to Manila.

“The presence of INS Shakti in Manila sends a powerful signal of solidarity, strength in partnership and the energy of cooperation between two vibrant democracies in the Indo-Pacific,” AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said at a cocktail party aboard the INS Shakti on Thursday.  – Michael Punongbayan