NEW DELHI — The extensive and busy agenda of Philippine-India bilateral ties secured continuity and forward movement as the Embassy touched base with the new overseer of the relationship at the Ministry of External Affairs.
Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio formally called on newly appointed Joint Secretary (JS) Shri Ashis Kumar Sinha of the Ministry’s South Division on 30 September.
JS Sinha assumed the post in August. Although the Ambassador and JS Sinha have had prior interactions since then, the call was their first formal sit-down.
Joining Ambassador Ignacio was Political Officer and Third Secretary Mark Anthony P. Dizon and Attaché Rogelio B. Silva, Jr. Backstopping JS Sinha were Director Sudhi Choudhary and Under Secretary Juhi Jalota.
The two sides discussed priority items such as the imminent commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Philippines-India diplomatic relations, exchanges of high-level visits, the convening of the two countries’ established consultation mechanisms, pending bilateral agreements, and the promotion of people-to-people ties.
Ambassador Ignacio took the occasion to spotlight the Embassy in New Delhi’s full implementation of the e-Visa system for Indian nationals, and its imminent expansion across India through the Philippines’ Honorary Missions in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai.
The two sides agreed to build on consensus reached during key meetings held this past month. In New Delhi, both governments convened the 14th Policy Consultations and 5th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on 09 September, and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group on Financial Technology on 13 September.
In Manila, meanwhile, defense and military officials of the two countries gathered for the 5th Meeting of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in Manila on 10-12 September.
The two sides agreed to build on consensus reached during key meetings held this past month. In New Delhi, both governments convened the 14th Policy Consultations and 5th Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on 09 September, and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group on Financial Technology on 13 September.
In Manila, meanwhile, defense and military officials of the two countries gathered for the 5th Meeting of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in Manila on 10-12 September.
Ambassador Ignacio and JS Sinha expressed satisfaction over the significant strides and positive trajectory of ties, heading into its 75th year. They agreed to parlay these developments into further gains for the rapidly intensifying bilateral relationship across the political, economic, cultural, people-to-people and functional spheres. END
