Manila: India and the Philippines have expressed their readiness to advance shared priorities in defense, economic security, and other areas of cooperation. This declaration was made during a bilateral meeting between Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and Related Meetings in Pasay City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a statement highlighting the reaffirmation of the special and enduring relationship between the two nations, which has evolved into a strategic partnership. The ministers emphasized their commitment to advancing shared goals in various domains, including defense, security, maritime, cybersecurity, and economic security. They also expressed confidence in the continued strengthening of the Strategic Partnership and the exploration of new opportunities for future cooperation.

At the PMC with India, Dr. Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi's intention to bolster cooperation with Southeast Asian states, recognizing that no single nation or group can tackle the current global volatility and disruption alone. He pointed out the visible stress on supply chains and highlighted the importance of observing international law, particularly concerning maritime trade.

On a regional scale, New Delhi is keen to explore enhanced cooperation opportunities in trade and investment, mobility and talent, technology, digital and AI, green and sustainability initiatives, and connectivity.