The Philippines and India reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen defense and military cooperation during a meeting.
Major General Samarth Nagar, Head of Delegation of the National Defense College (NDC) of India recently went on a courtesy call to Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs, Marita I. Yoro, CESO III, at the Department of National Defense (DND) on June 4.
Yoro conveyed the DND’s readiness to host the delegation for the 5th Philippines-India Joint Defense Cooperation Committee IDCC and 3rd Service-to-Service (STS) Meetings this year, which serve as the primary defense dialogue mechanisms between both countries.
Nagar said the intent of NDC India to sustain robust engagements with the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) and invited the military and civilian personnel of the College, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the DND to take courses in the NDC India.
Both sides expressed interest to boost cooperation on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and peacekeeping operations.
They also exchanged views and perspective on various regional security issues, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS), India’s challenges on its territorial borders, and security of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region, among others.
Yoro expressed appreciation for India’s continued support for a rules-based international order. Nagar invited the Philippine side to visit the NDC India as an opportunity to further discuss common defense and security challenges.
The delegation of NDC of India held a week-long official visit to the Philippines starting June 2, rendering courtesy calls and briefings on the DND, NDCP, AFP, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).