Manila
Philippines Defence Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. emphasized the need for a ‘great net’ to promote regional stability and security during his meeting with Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) reported on Thursday. The meeting, held on Wednesday, marked a step forward in deepening defence ties between the two countries.
Teodoro highlighted the importance of enhancing the partnership between the Philippines and India, focusing on upholding the rule of law in the region and building a Self-Reliant Defence Posture. He stressed supply chain resilience as a key component of the Philippines’ defence strategy and welcomed further military-to-military engagements and cooperation.
Expressing appreciation for the Indian delegation’s visit, Teodoro called for dialogue with “like-minded nations” to establish a framework for cooperation based on international law. He is set to meet Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in November, which will further strengthen bilateral defence relations.
Aramane commended the Philippines’ adherence to the rule of law and expressed a desire to enhance defence ties through shared experiences and technologies. He also invited Teodoro to India for ministerial-level talks, noting that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Aramane co-chaired the fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in Manila, highlighting both countries’ commitment to self-reliance in defence production. The Philippines invited Indian investments to promote assured supply chains and appreciated India’s defence industry indigenisation model.
