India and Philippines to strengthen defence ties at key meeting
India’s Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and Senior Under Secretary Irineo Cruz Espino of the Philippines Ministry of National Defence will co-chair the fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) on September 11 in Manila. This high-level meeting marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The discussions will focus on enhancing defence cooperation and collaboration, reflecting both countries’ commitment to mutual support in defence production and security. This visit is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines and the 10th anniversary of India’s Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia.
The JDCC, established under a 2006 defence cooperation agreement, will see an upgrade in leadership this year. Unlike the previous meeting in New Delhi in March 2023, which was led by Joint Secretaries, this session will be co-chaired by Defence Secretaries, underscoring the importance of the bilateral relationship.
During his visit, Defence Secretary Aramane is also scheduled to meet with other key Philippine officials, further cementing the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
