Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane will undertake a visit to Manila to co-chair the fifth meeting of India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) on September 11, 2024. The meeting will be co-chaired by Senior Under Secretary from the Ministry of National Defence of Philippines Mr Irineo Cruz Espino.
During the visit, the Defence Secretary will discuss ways to further consolidate defence cooperation between the two countries. He will also meet with other dignitaries of the government of Philippines.
This visit assumes significance as India and Philippines celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of India’s Act East Policy. Both the countries have a vigorous and multifaceted relationship which have expanded into several strategic areas, including defence and security. They are committed to support each other towards achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence production.
The JDCC construct has been established under the ambit of the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed between the two countries in 2006. The fourth edition of JDCC meeting was held in March 2023 in New Delhi at the Joint Secretary-level. The fifth edition marks the elevation of the co-chair to Secretary-level.
Philippines is the first international customer of the potent Brahmos supersonic cruise missile. The missile flies at nearly thrice the speed of sound and can hit targets as far as 290 km away. The Filipino military acquired the missile at a time when tensions between Manila and Beijing are rising over disputes in the South China Sea, especially over the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands. There is a likelihood that the country’s army too may acquire these deadly missiles.
India has also offered the Filipino Air Force the Tejas fighter aircraft as the archipelago nation seeks to strengthen its air force. New Delhi is also keen to sell the ALH Dhruv and Do-228 light transport aircraft to Manila. As per an Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the Filipino Coast Guard sent queries to the aircraft manufacturer for seven Dhruvs and eight Do228s.
As tensions in the region rise, Philippines looks at India as a reliable strategic partner as both nations look at the region from a common perspective rooted in the principles of freedom of navigation in international waters. Even as China asserts itself in the region.
Team Bharatshakti
(With inputs from Reuters)
