India and the Philippines agree to bolster defence and maritime ties

India and Philippines on Friday agreed to bolster defence and maritime security partnership and to make it a key pillar of bilateral cooperation, amidst China flexing its military muscles in region. two countries also committed to work closely toger to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms as President Ram Nath Kovind held wide-ranging talks with his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte at his official residence, Malacanan Palace. "I h very productive discussions with President Duterte. se cover bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues of day," Kovind said after talks and signing of four agreements covering maritime domain, security, tourism, science and techlogy and culture. 

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President Kovind visits Philippines

Kovind arrived in Philippines on Thursday as part of his five-day state visit to country. "My visit to Philippines is taking place in this landmark year when we are celebrating 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," Kovind said in a press statement along his Philippine counterpart Duterte. Ackwledging that relations between two countries have grown from strength to strength, Kovind said, "We have strong cooperation in political, defence and security, counter-terrorism, tre and investment as well as in agriculture, science & techlogy and health fields." president ted that two countries have been victims of terrorism with India being target of cross-border terrorism for deces, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

"We committed to work closely toger to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

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Philippines and India are "natural partners"

As two vibrant democracies that believe in a rules-based international order, respect for international law and sovereign equality of nations, Philippines and India are "natural partners" in pursuit of ir respective national development and security objectives, he said. One of agreements inked on Friday was on sharing of white shipping information between Philippine Coast Guard and Indian Navy. white shipping information refers to exchange of vance information on movement and identity of commercial n-military merchant vessels. meeting between Kovind and Duterte took place after a Chinese fishing trawler hit and sank a Filipi boat in June in contested waters of South China Sea.

China claims most of contested sea, including waters close to Philippine shores, and has dismissed a UN-backed international tribunal ruling that said its assertion to Sea is without legal basis. Parts of South China Sea are also claimed by Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. During Kovind's talks with Duterte, who was involved in a mir bike accident on Thursday, two countries decided to explore ir common future through cooperation in , as well as past  through research of history of ir civilisational roots and commonalities in culture and trition. "We look forward to receive experts from Philippines to India to research and document our ancient links. refore, my visit to this beautiful country is quite aptly captioned as  'Philippines and India at 70: Ushering Infinite Possibilities'," Kovind said.

President Kovind also highlighted immense potential to furr deepen Philippines-India ecomic ties. Philippines is emerging as an important focus country for India's corporate sector, he said. president said that India is also keen to participate in infrastructure development as well as in defence modernisation of Philippines. 

"In both se areas, Indian companies have me ir mark and attained global reputation," he said. "We also invite companies from Philippines to invest in India's transformative growth and development," he said.

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President Kovind stresses on people-to-people relation

President Kovind also stressed on people-to-people relations that form bedrock of sound bilateral relations. "India is one of fastest-growing source countries for tourists to Philippines. Both sides are exploring to start direct flights, which will give a boost to connectivity. With our highly liberal visa regime, we look forward to more Filipi tourists visiting India," he said. president said he is happy to have opportunity to unveil a bust of Mahatma Gandhi on land of Jose Rizal on Gandhi's 150th anniversary. " future presents us with new opportunities to bring our two nations closer. I believe that time has come for Philippines-India relationship to reach an altoger new level of engment," he said. President Kovind also condoled loss of life caused by earthquake in Mindanao on Wednesday and wished a speedy recovery to those affected. 

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