In wake of the rising tensions across the Asia-Pacific, India and the Philippines on Tuesday signed a series of security deals, aimed to bolster the defence ties between the two nations.
Photo: IANS
In wake of the rising tensions across the Asia-Pacific, India and the Philippines on Tuesday signed a series of security deals, aimed to bolster the defence ties between the two nations.
These agreements were signed during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s five-day state visit to India. At the center of this diplomatic effort is the formal establishment of the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, guided by a Plan of Action (2025–2029). This partnership seeks to create long-term collaboration in defence, security, maritime affairs, and technology, marking a new phase in Indo-Pacific cooperation.
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Both countries acknowledged the progress made under the 2006 Agreement on Defence Cooperation and confirmed their commitment to deepening military and defence-industrial cooperation. The latest agreement facilitates regular meetings of key institutional bodies, such as the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and the Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC). These will improve discussions on defence research, technology, training, and capacity building.
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A new framework will also set up military training activities and Service-to-Service interactions, focusing more on cooperation among the army, navy, and air force.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the oceans and seas in the Indo-Pacific, India and the Philippines promised to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA). This will involve cooperation in shipbuilding, maritime connectivity, coastal surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), pollution control, and search and rescue (SAR) operations.
The agreement highlights the peaceful, sustainable, and fair use of marine resources and calls for better coordination among maritime authorities, law enforcement agencies, and marine science and research institutions.
India and the Philippines also intend to boost cooperation in hydrography through joint oceanographic research and infrastructure development. They have agreed to take part in multilateral maritime exercises, including the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, Exercise MILAN, and the Philippines’ Maritime Cooperative Activities (MCAs).
An important part of the strategic partnership involves co-developing and co-producing defence equipment to enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The two nations will promote joint efforts in defence research and development and create a solid supply chain ecosystem.
In the field of cybersecurity, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through policy discussions, digital infrastructure development, AI and digital forensics, and the protection of critical information infrastructure. They will also focus on digital skills training and set up joint Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) mechanisms.
Both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to global peace and security, deciding to enhance cooperation on UN peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism, and cybersecurity. They will concentrate on combating terror financing, radicalization, human and drug trafficking, and emerging cyber threats through the Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism. Both sides also reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and agreed to improve information sharing, capacity building, and cooperation in international forums.
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