Both sides expressed their desire to advance bilateral relations and expand engagement in multiple areas

India and the Phillipines held wide-ranging discussions on a variety of issues of bilateral interest, including trade, defence and security, during the 13th Foreign Office Consultations and 4th Strategic Dialogue held in Manila on Wednesday and Thursday.

Reviewing the multi-faceted relations between India and Philippines during the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides expressed their desire to advance bilateral relations and expand engagement in areas including agriculture, trade, pharmaceuticals, fintech, education, defence and security, and people to people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"It was also agreed to work to expand engagement in other fields such as space, development cooperation and civil aviation," the MEA added.

The two sides agreed to convene bilateral mechanisms in different sectors at an early date and work towards holding the next Ministerial level Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation at mutually convenient dates.

During the Strategic Dialogue held on Thursday, the two sides discussed India –Philippines Defence and Security Cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest as well as ASEAN related matters, the MEA said.

The meetings were co-chaired by Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, India, Saurabh Kumar and Under Secretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines, Ma. Theresa P Lazaro.