Maritime Security, Counter-Terrorism In Focus During Jaishankar's Meeting With Philippines Foreign Secy

Jaishankar said that during the meeting they discussed a number of key areas of cooperation including trade & investments, defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crimes.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo co-chaired the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) In New Delhi on Thursday.

Jaishankar said that during the meeting they discussed a number of key areas of cooperation including trade & investments, development cooperation, health & pharma, defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crimes.

Soon after the meeting concluded, the foreign minister tweeted, "Just concluded a productive and comprehensive meeting of the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation with Enrique A Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. Our talks covered enhancing contacts and broadening cooperation as we head towards the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties."

He added, "Our agenda today covered defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crimes. As also our growing economic ties, including trade & investments; development cooperation; health & pharma; tourism; air services; agriculture; fintech; S&T and space cooperation. Noted the importance of greater people to people ties, specifically in tourism and education sectors. Recognized our strong collaboration in ASEAN and in multilateral forums. As Indo-Pacific countries, underlined our strong convergence on key issues."

Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs expressed his sincerest appreciation to Jaishakar for his invitation to discuss the fifth JCBC (Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation).

"India is a priority partner of the Philippines in science and technology, and space cooperation. We have large diasporas in our respective countries. Especially in the last five years, more and more of your countrymen have been coming to the Philippines to visit and study and to further facilitate the flow of people through increased commercial flights," he noted, as quoted by ANI.

Manalo announced that the Philippines has ratified the updated Air Services Agreement with India.