India, Philippines to enhance cooperation in defence, maritime & law enforcement sectors

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) India and Philippines on Thursday showed keen interest in enhancing cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime and law enforcement cooperation.

The two sides also decided to extend cooperation in the fields of health, tourism, agriculture, space as well as science and technology.

In a joint statement issued by both nations on the conclusion of the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting, both external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Philippines' secretary for foreign affairs Enrique Manalo expressed keen interest to continue to work together in the defence sector.

Cooperation would take place through regular or upgraded official level interaction among defence agencies, opening of the resident Defense Attache office in Manila, consideration of India’s offer for concessional line of credit to meet Philippines’ defense requirements, acquisition of naval assets, and expansion of training and joint exercises on maritime security and disaster response, among others, the joint statement said.

Under maritime cooperation, while acknowledging the growing importance of the maritime sector for both countries, the two ministers welcomed the bilateral Maritime Dialogue and the increased cooperation on hydrography.

They also emphasised the utility of maritime domain awareness, and in this context called for early operationalisation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the White Shipping Agreement between the Indian Navy and the Philippines Coast Guard. 

They looked forward to the signing of the MoU on enhanced maritime cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and Philippines Coast Guard.

For law enforcement cooperation, both Jaishankar and Manalo encouraged early negotiations for a bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters and a Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

It was agreed that the first round of talks would be held in the Philippines in August 2023.

"Recognising terrorism and transnational crimes as common security threats, they directed that the 2nd Joint Working Group on counter-terrorism meet in the Philippines in 2023 and discuss forging a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Terrorism and Transnational Crime," the joint statement said.

Towards cooperation in trade and investment sector, both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing pace of bilateral trade, which had for the first time crossed the level of $3 billion in 2022-23, and agreed to commence negotiations on a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement.

Manalo is in India on the invitation of Jaishankar to participate in the JCBC meeting.