GOVPH

To a Higher Orbit: Monumental Celebration of 75 Years of Philippines-India Diplomatic Ties in New Delhi

13 November 2024

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar graces PH Embassy reception

NEW DELHI – The intensifying partnership between the Philippines and India was on full display today, as no less than External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar joined the grand reception hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi on November 13 to honor the 75^th year of Diplomatic Relations.

The Philippines and India established formal ties on 16 November 1949.

Minister Jaishankar, Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio, and visiting Philippine Undersecretary (Vice-Minister) of Tourism Maria Rica C. Buenoled the high-profile event at the ITC Maurya Hotel in the Diplomatic Enclave.

In attendance were over 300 guests that included Indian government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and stakeholders representing business, education, the travel sector, think tanks; and Filipino expatriates based in the country. In the first of the event’s many highlights, Minister Jaishankar and Ambassador Ignacio unveiled the official logo of the 75^th Anniversary celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Jaishankar paid highest tribute to the deepening relationship. “Our ties are rooted in democratic values, pluralistic ethos and economic commonalities. We are both nations deeply committed to upholding international law, norms and rules”, he affirmed. “Our friendship is truly an enduring one that is now poised to move to a higher orbit.”

Ambassador Ignacio, for his part, extolled the bilateral relationship as “far transformed” and “crossing over into a more strategic era, as he enumerated the many gains of the past few years. Undersecretary Bueno threw the spotlight on rising reciprocal tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and India, amidst substantial progress to restore direct air connectivity.

Lending prestige and valuable support to the event were the Philippines’ eminent Honorary Consular officials across India, led by Consul General Smt. Rajashree Birla (Mumbai), Consul General Deepak Khemka (Kolkata), and Consul Bhimsignh Narendran (Chennai) on behalf of Consul General Ashwin Muthiah.

The reception also saw the launch of major commemorative publications. The Embassy launched the coffee table book “A Journey of Soaring and Enduring Partnership”, helmed in partnership with prominent Mumbai-based media outfit Network 18. The elegant volume traces via archival photos and insightful write-ups the journey of the relationship and its evolution into one of today’s most consequential external ties for the two countries and for the region.

The rest of the evening was a festive celebration of both cultures’ cuisine, music and dances. Guests were treated to a generous buffet of traditional Indian dishes matched by Filipino favorites adobo, kalderetang kambing, and lechon.

Members of the New Delhi-based Filipino organization KAPIHAN enthralled guests with their performance of the Tagalog Salakót and Cordilleran Bangâ dances, while Ms. Avni Bennett Burman regaled with a dance performance to popular Indian tunes.  Meanwhile, Ms. Ice Chandny Dizon Sharma‘s vocal prowess shone with her performance of Aisa Desh Hai Mera (This is how my country is).

Filipino martial arts also took centerstage, as Indian practitioners of “Dacayana Eskrima” affiliated with the New Delhi-based Dacayana Eskrima Asia-HQ India performed an arnís kata (demonstration of forms and movements). 

In true Filipino and Indian fashion, the evening was capped by an evening of singing, dance and revelry, propelled by the music of Philippine-based PURESOUL Band consisting of vocalist Leslie F. Navarra, drummer Lester Lloyd P. Rama, and guitarist Rafael Amora Caingin. Ambassador Ignacio took on guitar duties and accompanied Embassy Attaché Alyssa G. Arago on two numbers, to the audience’s delight.

The 75^th Anniversary Diplomatic Reception ushers in a period of year-long commemoration of Philippines-India ties in both countries. END

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EMBASSY CLOSURE

EMBASSY, APEX BUSINESS CHAMBER JOIN HANDS TO BOUY UP RESURGENT PHILIPPINES-INDIA ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT

NEW DELHI — The burgeoning trade, investment and business-to-business linkages between the Philippines and India are assured of momentum as the Embassy and India’s largest and oldest business organization agreed to tie up on joint promotional activities.

Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio called on the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on 10 October at the latter’s historic headquarters in New Delhi. With the Ambassador were the Embassy’s economic team, consisting of Third Secretary  Melissa Anne M. Telan, Commercial Counsellor Eugenio D. Elevado, Jr., and Attaché Rina Isabel P. de Chavez. 

Receiving them on FICCI’s behalf were Director General Ms. Jyoti Vij, Assistant Secretary General Mr. Chetan Bijesure, Additional Director and Head for ASEAN/International Affairs Sulabh Mathur and Deputy Director Malvika Kareer.

Welcoming the record bilateral trade in 2023 valued at USD 3.1-billion,  the Embassy and FICCI exchanged views on goods that could further ramp up commerce and supply chain linkages between the two countries, as well as sectors where synergies exist for FDI and technology transfer. Among these were electric vehicles and batteries, auto components, electronics especially semiconductors and printed circuit boards (PCB), fisheries, edible oils.

The Embassy and FICCI also agreed to collaborate on a Philippine-focused promotion event in 2025, in the context of the 75^th anniversary of Philippines-India diplomatic ties and rapidly intensifying cooperation between the two countries. END