India delivered the first batch of shore-based BrahMos missiles to the Philippines in April this year. (File photo for representation.)
New Delhi: India and the Philippines are deepening their defence and strategic cooperation as part of an ongoing review of their bilateral ties. Representatives from both countries will gather in the Philippine capital, Manila, for the fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), on Wednesday.
This meeting comes months after India supplied BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Filipino military, marking a notable enhancement in their defence collaboration, as reported by India Sentinels.
The defence cooperation between New Delhi and Manila has seen a significant upswing in recent years. In April, India delivered the first batch of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines in a $375 million deal that was signed over two years ago.
The JDCC meeting is taking place against the backdrop of increasing tensions between China and the Philippines. The discussions will be co-chaired by India’s defence secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and Irineo Cruz Espino, senior undersecretary of the Philippines’ defence ministry.
The focal point of these high-level talks will be the rising tensions in the South China Sea. There have been growing global concerns over China’s sweeping claims of sovereignty over the disputed sea – a region rich in hydrocarbons. Several countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei, have counterclaims, leading to heightened tensions and the need for robust defence strategies.
India, though geographically distant, has a vested interest in the stability of the Indo-Pacific. This meeting holds additional significance as India and the Philippines celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations and a decade of India’s “Act East” policy. The two countries have developed a multifaceted relationship that extends beyond defence and security, encompassing various strategic areas.
