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NEW DELHI, 24 June 2024 — The perceptible intensification of cooperation between the Philippines and India is also visibly extending into the maritime and naval sphere.

This was emphasized by the introductory call of Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio on India's Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, at the latter’s office on 21 June. The Admiral took command of the Indian Navy on 30 April 2024.

Naval2The Ambassador and Navy Chief engaged in an animated discussion and exchange of views on a broad array of topics and issues impinging on the two countries’ burgeoning maritime security relationship. They expressed satisfaction at the rise of engagement between the Philippine and Indian navies, manifested in a spate of Indian Navy port calls in Manila and naval exercises as part of the Indian Eastern Fleet’s operational deployments in the South China Sea region.

They also surveyed positive developments taking shape in the larger bilateral defense cooperation landscape. 

Ambassador Ignacio and Admiral Tripathi also touched on maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The Ambassador conveyed the Philippine Government’s appreciation anew for INS Kolkata’s rescue and medical aid to the Filipino crew of MV True Confidence, which was hit by an armed attack at the Gulf of Aden in March.

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They also discussed developments in the West Philippine Sea and the enduring relevance of rule of law, especially the UNCLOS and the Award in the 2016 Arbitration on the South China Sea.

The Ambassador and Adm. Tripathi renewed both sides’ commitment to fostering navy-to-navy cooperation and dialogue.

Accompanying Ambassador Ignacio was Embassy Political Officer Third Secretary Mark Anthony P. Dizon and Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Rolando Gomez.

Other officials of the Indian Navy officials and Ministry of External Affairs were also present. END

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New Delhi, India – After a decade-long gap, the prospect of revived direct air connectivity between the Philippines and India appears poised to take flight.

A visiting Route Development Team from the Department of Tourism (DOT), backed by the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, undertook a series of meetings and other engagements with key Indian players in the airline and outbound travel sectors between 02 June and 08 June.

Leading the team were DOT Assistant Secretary Judilyn S. Quiachon and Assistant Secretary Warner M. Andrada.

Meeting with Air India

With them were DOT Division Chief Ramil S. Basuel and Route Development Division Head Warren S. Palacio, and Ms. Jasmin P. Reyes. Clark International Airport’s  Traffic Development Head. 

While in New Delhi, they participate in the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India Aviation Summit at Aero City on 5-7 June, networking with the Indian and international aviation community.

Outside of the Aviation Summit, the DOT and Embassy team met with leading Indian airlines and travel agencies with the two-fold aim of boosting Indian tourism to the Philippines, as well as restoring direct flights between the two countries.

Meeting with Air India 2The delegation also called on Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio, prior to and again towards the conclusion of their mission. Joining these meetings were Third Secretary (Economic) and Vice Consul Melissa Anne M. Telan, Commercial Counsellor Eugenio Elevado, Jr. of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), and Economic Assistant Ethel Jane Molina. Assistant Secretary Quiachon highlighted the steady recovery of Indian tourist arrivals to the Philippines, which reached 70,286 in FY2023, a 36.4% surge from the previous year. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Indian tourism to the country was at over 130,000.

The DOT is keen for the Philippines to win over a substantial chunk of the fast-growing Indian outbound tourism market – already the largest in Asia and is seen to rise to fifth largest globally by 2027.

The Philippines’ hopes are well complemented by the Mission’s findings that Indians are already looking to the country for their travel plans.  

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“The Philippines readily meets the Indian tourist traveler’s desires: beaches, nature, heritage, cityscapes, nightlife, shopping.” said Ambassador Ignacio. “We are smoothening two-way tourism, hence our unremitting work on connectivity and even visa solutions”. The Philippine Embassy introduced an e-Visa system in April.

Assistant Secretary Andrada concurs that the time has come to unlock the full potential of tourism links between the two nations, with the resumption of direct flights a representing a crucial first step. END

 

 

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New Delhi – All roads led to the Philippine Embassy grounds on 14 June as the Indian Government, diplomatic corps and a wide-cross section of New Delhi society joined a scintillating and joyous celebration of the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.

 

Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio led Embassy officials in welcoming over 300 guests led by Chief Guest, new Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita, and Heads of Missions of Embassies, High Commissions, and international agencies.

 

It was the first-ever diplomatic engagement of the Shri Margherita, concurrently State Minister for Textiles, who was sworn into the Cabinet of PM Narendra Modi barely a week prior.

 

The diverse list of guests and well-wishers included business leaders, entrepreneurs, academicians, professionals and many other Embassy partners.

 

Ambassador Ignacio opened the festivities with keynote remarks extolling the Philippines’ remarkable gains since 12 June 1898, and its steady rise as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, and the parallel extraordinary enhancement of Philippines-India ties across the board. He invited the international community to participate in the Philippine growth story, which is seen being propelled vigorously by the "Bagong Pilipinas" governance platform.

 

State Minister Margherita similarly lauded burgeoning trade, defense, cultural, and education linkages between both countries.

 

 Buffet 1A toast between the State Minister and the Ambassador ushered the reception into full Fiesta mode and one big enthralling showcase of Philippine cultural heritage and gastronomy.

 

Guests helped themselves to a generous buffet featuring Philippine cuisine headlined by perennial crowd-favorite lechon de leche, and kambing (mutton) kaldereta. Indian flavors rounded off the extensive.

 

The cultural program commenced with performances by Delhi-based Filipinas and Embassy personnel of Philippine folk dances: the Maranao Kini-Kini, the Cordilleras’ Banga dance, the lowlands’ Salakot dance, and the regal Kappa Malong or Sambi sa Malong, another Maranao showstopper. Dance 2

 

Not to be left behind, Embassy personnel took to the stage with a rendition of a popular Filipino pop song, with no less than Ambassador Ignacio on guitar, to the enthusiastic applause of the audience.

 

An evening of dancing and merriment ensued, propelled by the vocal talents of Goa-based Filipina singers Ms. Fatima Gaughan and Ms. Meramar Minon, with the backing of Indian instrumentalist Mr. Ashwin Alvares.

 

It was a proud evening for the Philippine Embassy. Guests were unanimous in their praise for of the National Day reception, which skillfully combined solemn commemoration with inimitable revelry and fellowship as only Filipinos could extend. END

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NEW DELHI — An unexpected historical footnote in Philippine-Indian ties came to the fore at the May 29 Webinar hosted by the Philippine Embassy, as a Filipino historian traced the introduction of a dog breed from Manila into Mughal-era India.

Filipino historian and author Mr. Ian Christopher Alfonso, author of the bestseller “Dogs in Philippine History”, was chief speaker at the inaugural session of the series Sailing Through Time: The Philippines and India Histo-Cultural. The Series honors the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.

In Mr. Alfonso’s fascinating account, “ferocious” and “handsome” dogs from Manila found their way in March 1706 via Madras Cul2 (present-day Chennai) to the ownership of Daud Khan, a prominent historical figure and commander during the Mughal Empire reign over India.

The breed had been first sighted by the Mughal commander’s men aboard a Spanish trade ship docked at Madras (present-day Chennai). Taking a fascination for their qualities, Daud Khan engaged ship captain Ignacio Manoel in negotiations leading to the former’s acquisition of two of the dogs.

While a footnote in the context of evolving larger trade and cultural linkages between the Philippines and India, then Spanish and British possessions, respectively, the story provides a glimpse into the multifaceted character of historical ties between the two.

Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio keynoted the event, highlighting the importance of uncovering disparate historical events and episodes that help paint a broader picture of historical Philippine-Indian links. “Thanks to Mr. Alfonso, we find that dogs are not just man’s best friend, but also a friend and part-repository of the story of our  relations”, the Ambassador said.

Mr. Alfonso was formerly Supervising History Researcher at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). He is currently affiliated with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

The Philippine Embassy Lecture Series will run until early 2025. END

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