GOVPH

AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE, SECRETARY (EAST) FORTIFY CONSENSUS FOR HIGHER TRAJECTORY FOR PH-INDIA TIES

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.

PH AND AALCO PLOT DIRECTION OF COLLABORATION AT SECGEN’S CALL ON NEW PH AMBASSADOR

Ambassador-Designate Josel F. Ignacio welcomes AALCO Secretary General Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol at the Chancery

NEW DELHI, January 25 – Recently arrived Philippine Ambassador-Designate Josel F. Ignacio received Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) Secretary General Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol on the latter’s introductory call at the Chancery.

An inter-governmental organization founded in 1956, the AALCO serves as advisory body and forum for cooperation for its 48 Member States on international law and legal matters of common concern. The Philippines rejoined the organization in 2019.

Secretary General Pinitpuvadol briefed the Ambassador-Designate on AALCO’s work and ongoing initiatives. He expressed gratitude for the unremitting support of the Philippine Government and its Embassy in New Delhi, which currently chairs the body’s Subcommittee of Liaison Officers that comprehensively reviews Member States’ assessed scales of contributions.

Ambassador-Designate Ignacio thanked the AALCO Chief for initiating the meeting and reaffirmed Philippine support for AALCO and its valuable work. He acknowledged AALCO’s contributions over the years in privileging and distilling Member States’ views on legal issues, including emerging topics in international law, and helping mainstream these in the deliberations of the UN and other major international bodies.

The Ambassador pointed out the convergence of priorities between AALCO and the Philippines, in areas such as the law of the sea, climate change law, international environmental law and asset recovery. Building on this recognition, the meeting closed on a consensus to intensify collaboration on AALCO’s annual sessions and projects, as well as possible joint activities with the Philippines on fora, internships, and others.

Joining the call were Second Secretary and Consul John Boitte C. Santos and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Mark Anthony G. Articulo, the Philippine Liaison Officer to AALCO. END

(L-R) Vice Consul Mark Anthony G. Articulo, Consul John Boitte C. Santos Ambassador-Designate Josel F. Ignacio, AALCO Secretary General Dr. Kamalinne Pinitpuvadol and Ms. Geetika Sharma during the call

EXTENSIVE PH-INDIA COOPERATION AGENDA SCOPED AT AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE’S CALL ON EXTERNAL MINISTRY

MEA Additional Secretary Shankar welcomes Ambassador-Designate Ignacio

NEW DELHI, 23 January – Entering his second week in India, Philippine Ambassador-Designate Josel F. Ignacio paid an introductory courtesy call on Honorable Ravi Shankar, Additional Secretary and Head of the Southern Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, which oversees relations with the Philippines.

Additional Secretary Shankar warmly welcomed Ambassador-designate Ignacio and expressed good wishes as he commences his duties.

Ambassador-Designate Ignacio and Additional Secretary Shankar engaged in extensive discussions covering a wide range of priority matters and initiatives impinging on bilateral ties.

Both sides welcomed the steady gains of the overall relationship, which significantly is turning 75 this year.

They committed to continue working in lockstep towards the realization of near- and longer-term objectives across the entire gamut of engagement areas.

They considered the status of collaborative endeavors in the traditional domains of trade and investments, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Ambassador-Designate Ignacio and AS Shankar touched as well on driving forward interaction in spheres that have seen greater importance in recent years, such as defense procurement and maritime cooperation, as well as novel sectors like financial technology.

Both sides also affirmed their desire to see through appropriate commemorative activities in the pipeline in honor of the platinum jubilee of Philippines-India ties.

On hand were Third Secretary (Political and Economic Affairs) Mark Anthony P. Dizon, and Mr. (Cmdr.) Arunava Bhattacharyya, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of the MEA’s South Division.

Ambassador-Designate Ignacio arrived in India on 14 January, and is presently undertaking rounds of introductory formalities with key interlocutors in the MEA, the diplomatic community, and the Philippines’ many partners across India. END

(L-R) Cdr Bhattacharya, Additional Secretary Shankar, Ambassador-Designate Ignacio, and Third Secretary (Political Affairs) Mark Anthony Dizon during the courtesy call