Relations between India and the Philippines continue to grow and deepen
India and the Philippines on Friday held their fourth Joint Consular Committee Meeting in Manila and discussed issues related to consular and bilateral matters.
 
 “4th India-Philippines JCCM co-chaired by @SecretaryCPVOIA@MukteshPardeshi & @dfaucsca Jesus S Domingo held in Manila. Substantive discussions on a range of consular matters including e-Visas, bilateral agreements (MLAT, SSA, TTSP) & community welfare including students’ issues interalia,” maintained, the Manila-based Indian embassy's post on X. It was retweeted by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday.
 
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar paid a three-day official visit to the Philippines from March 25 to 27. During his visit, the EAM called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings to him.
 
EAM Jaishankar briefed President Marcos about recent developments in India-Philippines partnership and on the joint initiatives to further fortify bilateral ties, the MEA said.
 
The EAM also met his counterpart Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Philippines and noted the progress made in bilateral cooperation since the fifth meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation held in New Delhi in June 2023.

They also reviewed the entire spectrum of engagements including political exchanges, trade and investment, defence and maritime security, development partnership, healthcare & medicine, agriculture and food security, education, infrastructure, engagements in new technologies and people-to-people exchanges,
 
They also explored avenues for further strengthening relations between the two countries, while also delving into regional and global issues of mutual interest. It was agreed to hold commemorative events to mark the 75th Anniversary of establishment of bilateral relations.
 
EAM Jaishankar also met Secretary of National Defense of Philippines, Gilbert Teodoro. Both leaders welcomed growing cooperation in defence and maritime security.
 
Substantive discussions were held on consolidating the ongoing momentum in bilateral defence ties through capacity building, joint exercises, information exchange and defence industrial collaboration.
 
The EAM’s visit provided a well-timed opportunity to take stock of ongoing engagements and to give further impetus to the flourishing bilateral ties between India and the Philippines, the MEA said.