New Delhi: Filipino Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique A Manalo began his 4-day visit to India after landing at New Delhi Airport today. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had invited Secretary Manola to co-chair the 5th India- Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), currently underway in New Delhi.

During the meeting, Jaishankar greeted Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary, while he expressed his viewpoints on various subject matters related to business, defence, and cooperation. The diplomats further discussed the need for stabilising the Indo-Pacific region and encouraging inclusive multilateralism.

The EAM Jaishankar said, “I really look forward to sitting down with you today and discussing how to take our cooperation forward. I would also like to express my appreciation for your participation in the Global South Summit.”

#WATCH | Enrique Manalo, Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs meets EAM Dr S Jaishankar in Delhi pic.twitter.com/NN5K5lxlXu

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— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

“I truly believe today that we are two countries who share so much, who look at global developments and continental developments with so much convergence and who have so many economic complementarities,” EAM added further, quoted by the news agency ANI.

I really look forward to sitting down with you today and discussing how to take our cooperation forward. I would also like to express my appreciation for your participation in the Global South Summit. And I truly believe today that we are two countries who share so much, who look… pic.twitter.com/AvFPJMLgjU

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2023

Meanwhile, the Filipino Foreign Minister appreciated India’s Foreign Minister for his invitation. The Minister said, “India is a priority partner of the Philippines in science, technology, and space cooperation.”

He added further, “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,” quoted ANI.

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

Adding more, the EAM stated, “During the meeting, both sides will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, defence, security, maritime cooperation, trade & investment, health, tourism, agriculture, financial technology and will also discuss regional & multilateral issues of mutual interest.”

If the statement is to be believed, Filipino External Affairs Minister will be delivering the 42nd Sapru House LEcture as a joint project under the MoU signed between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Philippines and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in November 2017.