Manila/New Delhi, Feb 14 (Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in the Philippines on a working visit, on Monday held productive talks with the country’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr on national security and development goals, days after Manila inked a USD 374.96 million deal with India for purchase of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile systems. Jaishankar in a series of tweets said that India and Philippines, a key Asean partner, are entering a new phase of their partnership, with its basis being the mutuality of national security and development aspirations.
The EAM also said the two sides expect to take forward the shared agenda through sustained engagement. “Held productive discussions with FM @teddyboylocsin of Philippines. “We are entering a new phase of our partnership. Its basis is the mutuality of national security and development aspirations. “Our conversation covered a range of issues dealing with both. “Expect to take forward a shared agenda through sustained engagement. Thank you @teddyboylocsin for a warm welcome and generous hospitality,” he posted. This is the EAM’s first visit to the Asean country in his capacity as Foreign Minister. He arrived on Sunday on a three-day working visit, in the backdrop of BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd inking a deal with Manila last month for supply of three batteries of shore-based supersonic cruise missile systems for the Philippines navy. The visit is expected to impart further momentum to bilateral relations with the Philippines.
The Philippines plans to use the BrahMos missile systems to boost its coastal defence, and will be used by the Coastal Defence Regiment of the Philippine Marines. The deal also included training for operators and logistics support. Manila hopes to protect the island nation’s claims in the disputed South China Sea, also called the West Philippine Sea.