Philippines, India discuss maritime cooperationMANILA, Philippines — Filipino and Indian maritime experts have discussed prospects for maritime security cooperation between their countries. The experts exchanged views on potential areas of cooperation in the Track 2 component of the Inaugural Philippines-India Maritime Dialogue, held in Manila last week. The forum, organized by Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute, focused on maritime security cooperation and economic opportunities in the maritime industry which, from the private sector’s point of view, the two countries could pursue. At the 5th meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation held on June 29 at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar acknowledged the growing importance of the maritime sector for both countries and welcomed the bilateral Maritime Dialogue and the increased cooperation on hydrography. Stratbase ADRi and NMF hope to provide inputs to the agenda of the Track 1 Maritime Dialogue that the Philippine and Indian governments plan to convene within the next few months.
