NEW DELHI — Philippine foreign policy responses to the geopolitical challenges of the day and the renaissance in Philippine-India engagement were at centerstage as Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio was featured in this month’s iteration of the Observer Research Foundation’s (ORF) Diplomat Diaries series on 24 June.
Inaugurated in mid-2023, Diplomat Diaries is a monthly series that spotlights selected diplomats of prominence in India, providing a forum for the public to engage them on issues of relevance and interest.
Moderated by author and ORF Vice President of Studies and Foreign Policy Dr. Harsh V. Pant,, the session was held before a capacity audience at the ORF’s headquarters.
Setting the tone for the discussions, Ambassador Ignacio opened with a succinct presentation that provided a comprehensive snapshot of the ongoing renaissance in Philippines-India engagement.
The presentation touched off an interactive forum – the marrow of the Diplomat Diary series – that saw Ambassador Ignacio gamely field questions from Dr. Pant and the audience hat included policy wonks, diplomats, journalists, consultants, and students.
The engaging discussion deep-dove into the Philippines’ foreign policy responses to a broad range of topics, including the South China Sea, power rivalries, the rise of minilaterals, supply chain diversification and resilience, and climate change.
Of the present state of Philippines-India ties, “we are witnessing is a renaissance, a reacquaintance, a rediscovery that overcomes geography”, said the Ambassador. “This reinvigoration is seeing intensification across all fronts, especially in areas with resonance and relevance for our bilateral ends, for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and for the rule of law in the maritime commons.” Attesting to the rising prominence of the Philippines-India partnership and the Philippines’ prominent role in a number of regional developments, the Diplomat Diaries appearance with Ambassador Ignacio attracted substantial interest. It gained coverage over news media, as well as social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter).
In May 2024, Ambassador Ignacio was also featured in an extensive on-camera interview by Indian news network WION. END