The two sides also emphasized the need to implement the South China Sea ruling issued by the United Nations Court of Arbitration in 2016
Published Date – 11:15 PM, Thursday – 29 June 23
New Delhi: India and the Philippines agreed on Thursday to begin negotiations on a bilateral preferential trade agreement and vowed to boost defense cooperation, especially in maritime security, amid China’s growing power in the South China Sea.
During the wide-ranging talks between Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and his counterpart Jaishankar, the two sides also emphasized the need to enforce the 2016 South China Sea ruling by the United Nations Court of Arbitration.
Defense and security ties between India and the Philippines are on the rise. Last January, the Philippines struck a $375 million deal with India to procure three batteries for BrahMos cruise missiles.
The joint statement said the two sides emphasized that India and the Philippines share common interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region and stressed the need to resolve disputes peacefully and abide by international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). South China Sea) and the South China Sea Arbitration Award.
The United Nations’ Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled in Manila’s favor in a Philippine case against China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. But China rejected the verdict.
There is growing global concern over China’s broad claims to the entire South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. Several countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, filed counterclaims.
In a tweet, Jaishankar called the talks at the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation “productive and comprehensive” and said the dialogue focused on strengthening ties in the fields of defence, counter-terrorism, health and trade.
Both sides expressed strong interest in continuing work in the defense sector, including opening a defense attaché office in Manila, considering India’s offer of a preferential line of credit to meet the Philippines’ defense needs, acquisition of naval assets and expansion, the statement said. Maritime safety training and joint exercises.
According to reports, Jaishankar and Manalo agreed to start negotiations on a bilateral preferential trade agreement, and they noted with satisfaction the growth rate of bilateral trade, which will exceed the US$3 billion level for the first time in 2022-23.
The two sides also agreed to work together at the United Nations to promote the reform of the Security Council to achieve concrete results as soon as possible.
“Given the urgent need for reform of the UN Security Council, the two sides agreed to increase the number of permanent and non-permanent members and reform the working methods of the UN Security Council,” the statement said.
The two sides emphasized the need to expand connectivity and facilitate travel to promote growth in tourism, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, the statement said.
The statement stated that Jaishankar and Manalo encouraged early negotiations on a bilateral mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters and a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons.
“Our agenda today covers defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crime. Growing economic ties between us, including trade and investment; development cooperation; health and pharmaceuticals; tourism; air services; agriculture; fintech; technology and space Cooperation,” Jaishankar tweeted.
He said the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections was noticed, especially in the fields of tourism and education.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday to begin a four-day visit.
In a speech at the think tank on Wednesday, Manalo said the Philippines wanted a “very strong” defense partnership with India and looked forward to purchasing military hardware from India.
