MEA Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar welcomes Ambassador-Designate Ignacio

NEW DELHI, 30 January – Ambassador-Designate Josel F. Ignacio was warmly received today by Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar, one of the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) most senior officials, in the latest of the Philippine envoy’s round of introductory calls.

The Office of the Secretary (East) oversees the Indo-Pacific and Indian relations with East and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, as well as ties with part of the Americas, Oceania and various regional organizations.

Ambassador-designate Ignacio thanked Secretary Kumar for his many contributions to advancing Philippines-India relations since assuming the post in 2021.

The two diplomats took stock of key developments and initiatives spanning the entire gamut of bilateral engagement.

 Ambassador-Designate Ignacio and Secretary (East) Kumar in animated exchanges

Against the backdrop and impetus of this year’s platinum anniversary of diplomatic ties, both recognized opportunities to advance cooperation in defense, trade, business, people-to-people exchanges,  and even new frontiers like fintech, renewable energy, and space cooperation.

They committed to further collaboration to advance key deliverables such as the Philippine military’s acquisition of Brahmos missiles and the delivery of non-Basmati rice to the Philippines.

Ambassador-designate Ignacio and Secretary Kumar also welcomed the intensification of high-level dialogue, most recently the meeting between Foreign Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in Kampala, Uganda earlier this month.,

They surveyed regional developments and the relevance of the ASEAN-India strategic partnership to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. On this score, they took positive note of the Philippines’ role as next country coordinator for the ASEAN-India dialogue relationship.

Before taking leave, Ambassador-designate Ignacio congratulated Secretary Kumar on a fruitful tenure and his forthcoming assumption of his next post as India’s Ambassador to Belgium and the EU.

Also present in the meeting were Third Secretary (Political Affairs) Mr. Mark Anthony P. Dizon and Under Secretary Ms. Jhu Jalota of the MEA’s South Division. END

(L-R) Third Secretary (Political Affairs) Dizon, Ambassador-Designate Ignacio, and Secretary Kumar.