Context
Defence Secretary to co-chair 5th India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in Manila.
About
- The visit assumes importance as India and Philippines have enjoyed 75 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of India’s Act East Policy.
- The JDCC construct has been established under the ambit of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed between the 2 nations in 2006.
Overview of India- Philippines Relations
- Establishment: India and the Philippines officially established diplomatic relations in 1949, shortly after both countries gained independence [Philippines in 1946 and India in 1947].
- Look East and Act East Policy: When India released the Look East Policy and intensified partnership with ASEAN in 1992, this also ended in stronger relations with countries in the area including the Philippines, both bilaterally and in the regional context.
- With the Act East Policy initiated in 2014, the relationship with the Philippines has varied similarly into political-security; trade and enterprise and people-to-people geographical regions.
- Defence ties have been drastically more advantageous with the signing in 2022 of a contract worth US$ 374.9 million to supply the BrahMos missile system.
- The nations additionally signed an MoU on Defence Industry and Logistics cooperation in 2017 and feature also installation of a separate Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC) under the MoU.
- Bilateral trade between India and Philippines (in terms of price) multiplied from USD 1.89 billion in 2015-16 to USD 3.05 billion in 2022-23, crossing the USD 3 billion mark for the first time.
- In 2022, an Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Custom Matters was signed which might facilitate alternatives.
- MOU for the charter of JWG on Cooperation in Financial Technology was signed in 2023. This could facilitate partnership between India and Philippines within the fields of digital payments, financial inclusion, fintech and associated regions.
- The Indian community in the Philippines is estimated to be around 1,50,000. Punjabis and Sindhis constitute the majority of the community.
Significance of Philippines for India
- Strategic and Security Interests: The Philippines is a key player in Southeast Asia, a location of strategic importance to India.
- The two countries share common interests in keeping freedom of navigation within the South China Sea and countering regional protection threats.
- India’s Look East Policy and its Act East Policy are geared toward strengthening ties with Southeast Asian nations, such as the Philippines, to enhance regional stability and cooperation.
Philippines
- Economic Opportunities: The Philippines is an emerging market with capability for trade and investment.
- Both countries are exploring opportunities for cooperation in areas which include renewable energy, education, and tourism.
- Regional Cooperation: Both nations are participants of regional forums including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit.
- Their collaboration in these forums is important for addressing regional challenges and promoting economic integration.
Way Ahead
- The geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific vicinity, specifically concerning maritime security and China’s growing influence, have led both nations to discover deeper strategic and defense collaborations.
- Both countries share common hobbies in regional boards like ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
- India’s strength in technology and innovation, coupled with the Philippines’ developing tech sector, provides opportunities for collaboration in areas together with IT, digital economy, and start-ups.
- Continued efforts in these areas may need to lead to a robust and multifaceted partnership.
Source: The ET