Why in news?

India and the Philippines have vowed to expand their ties in sectors like civil aviation, fintech, education, defence, and security.

Highlights:

• The decision was taken at the 13th India-Philippines Foreign Office Consultations and the fourth Strategic Dialogue that took place in Manila.
• The bilateral defence and security ties between India and the Philippines have been on an upswing in the past few years.
• In January, the Philippines concluded a $375 million deal with India for the procurement of three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile.
• India signed a framework agreement with the Philippines in March that provided for government-to-government deals for the supply of defence hardware and equipment.
• both sides expressed their desire to advance bilateral relations and expand engagement in areas such as agriculture, trade, pharmaceuticals, fintech, education, defence and security, and people to people ties.
• “It was also agreed to work to expand engagement in other fields such as space, development cooperation and civil aviation.

India-Philippines Relation

• India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations in 1949, shortly after both countries gained independence. (Philippines in 1946 and India in 1947).
• Despite historical shared values and commonalities, such as ant colonialism, South South cooperation, a strong democratic polity and the wide use of the English language, the full potential of the relationship between the two countries is yet to be achieved.
• When India launched Look East Policy and intensified partnership with ASEAN in 1992, it also resulted in intensified relations with the Philippines both bilaterally and in the regional context.
• With the Act East Policy (2014), the relationship with the Philippines has diversified further into political-security; trade and industry, etc.
• India has a positive trade balance with the Philippines (more Export from India compared to Import from the Philippines to India).
• The Indian community in the Philippines has become an integral part of the population.

• The Philippines is also beginning to emerge as a destination for Indian students.