India Vows To Strengthen Philippines Armed Forces
Now the PLAN of the Communist Party of China will be a worried Naval Force, no more sure of the undisputed possessor / controller of the Philippines seas.
India has vowed this Monday to work with the Philippines in strengthening the latter’s armed forces’ capabilities, especially the Navy, with the super force multiplier, the BRAHMOS missiles.
India Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Shambhu S. Kumaran paid a courtesy call on the newly elected President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Mandaluyong City.
Among things discussed during the visit, Kumaran said, was the commitment to continue the “excellent bilateral relations” between the two countries.
“We requested his continued support for the development of excellent bilateral relations between India and the Philippines,” Kumaran said in a press briefing.
“We’ve been having excellent progress over the past few years and we look forward to continuing the progress and dynamism under the new administration,” he added.
Kumaran said the Indian government likewise vows to help the Philippines in strengthening the latter’s military capabilities.
In January this year, the Philippine government has awarded a $374-million (P19 billion) contract to India to equip the Philippine Navy with the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles.
“India would like to work with the Philippines towards capacity-building and capability development of the Philippines’ armed forces and we do believe that under the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, there are potential areas where Indian companies can be competitive,” Kumaran said.
“We will work closely with the Philippine armed forces and the [Department of National Defence] to take forward this partnership in the new administration,” he added.
Similar to the Philippines, India has its own territorial dispute with China.
Kumaran said China was not mentioned during the meeting between him and Marcos Jr.
“Our discussion today was on the bilateral relationship. We had a very wide ranging discussion as I said on a lot of priorities of the president focusing on development in the Philippines,” Kumaran said.
“I briefed him about the successes of digital governance in India, and of course health, agriculture, so the focus of the discussion was on the bilateral relationship and we did not have any discussions about other aspects,” he added.
