NEW DELHI: India and the Philippines assumed the joint chairmanship of the 5th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in New Delhi on Thursday, June 29.

During the productive meeting, both sides meticulously assessed a wide range of bilateral relations encompassing political, defense, security, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, financial technology, and engaged in discussions on regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest.

Leading the Indian delegation was S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs, while the Philippines was represented by Enrique Manalo, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, who was visiting at the invitation of Jaishankar to co-chair the 5th India-Philippines JCBC.

"I eagerly anticipate our fruitful deliberations today on how we can further advance our cooperation. I would also like to extend my gratitude for your participation in the Global South Summit," expressed Jaishankar to the Philippines delegation before the meeting. "Moreover, I firmly believe that our two nations share a myriad of commonalities, viewing global and continental developments through a lens of convergence, and boasting numerous economic synergies."

In response, Manalo expressed gratitude for the invitation to discuss the JCBC.

"India holds a prominent position as a priority partner of the Philippines in science, technology, and space cooperation. We have significant diasporas in each other's countries. Notably, in the past five years, there has been an increasing number of Indian nationals visiting the Philippines for study and leisure, facilitated by enhanced commercial flight connections. "I am pleased to announce the ratification of the updated Air Services Agreement with India by the Philippines," he added.

As per a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Manalo's visit presents an opportune moment to comprehensively evaluate bilateral relations between India and the Philippines, as well as to explore avenues for further deepening and strengthening them.

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