President Duterte and visiting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind met in Malacañang on Friday and sealed four bilateral deals on areas of cooperation maritime security, tourism, science and technology and cultural exchange.
On the second day of the Indian leader’s state visit, the two officials also discussed areas of mutual interest, as well as pressing concerns on maritime security and economic integration.
In their joint news statement, Duterte said India is a natural partner of the Philippines, stressing that enhancing the country’s ties with them is “timely as it is necessary,” adding he welcomed India’s role in the defense capability upgrade program against the backdrop of growing security cooperation.
“As countries strategically located in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, we affirmed our shared interest to protect our maritime commons and advance the rule of law in our maritime domains. We agreed also to continue working together to fight terrorism and violent extremism and other transboundary threats,” Duterte said. “I also took the opportunity to thank India for helping us rebuild Marawi without precondition, delay or hesitation.”
He also welcomed the steady rise of investments and exchanges while recognizing the need to further the economic ties between the two countries.
“The Philippines and India are at the forefront of the global IT-BPO industries. This is a shared distinction that encourages us to cooperate more so that we can complement each other’s strengths,” Duterte said.
For his part, Kovind invited Philippine companies to invest in India, adding that New Delhi is looking to participate in infrastructure development and defense modernization of the Philippines.
“The future presents us with new opportunities to bring our two nations closer. I believe that the time has come for the Philippines-India relationship to reach an altogether a new level of engagement,” Kovind said.
The Indian leader also conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died because of the 6.3-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao on Wednesday night.
The state visit marks an important milestone in the Philippines and India bilateral relations as both countries commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
Kovind is the third Indian president who had paid the Philippines a state visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On Saturday, Kovind will hold meetings with liver transplant patients, as well as with the beneficiaries of Mahaveer Philippines Foundation before attending Philippines-India Business Conclave and 4th Asean- India Business Summit.
Before departing for Tokyo, Japan, the Indian leader is also slated to grace the installation of Mahatma Gandhi Bust and meeting with Indian Community.
In 2018, India was the 15th trading partner of the Philippines, 17th export market and 14th import supplier.
Last year, merchandise trade between the two Asian economies expanded 5.8 percent to $2.37 billion, from $2.24 billion in 2017, according to Philippine Statistics Authority data.
The list of signed agreements between the Philippines and India include:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of India on Tourism Cooperation;
- Program of Cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology for 2019-2022 between the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of the Republic of India;
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of the Republic of the Philippines and the Indian Navy of the Republic of India on Sharing of White Shipping Information; and
- Cultural Exchange Programme between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India for the years 2019-2023.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes