Context:

Recently, the fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) was held in Manila, Philippines.

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• In 2006, the two countries signed an MoU on Defence Cooperation and established a JDCC, which has met four times, most recently on March 31, 2023, in New Delhi.
• The meeting was co-chaired by the Defence Secretary of India and the Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Defence of the Philippines.
• This visit celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of India's Act East Policy, with the JDCC co-chairmanship upgraded to the Secretary level.

Key outcomes included discussions on bilateral and multilateral issues:

• A review of recent service interactions, and a mutual commitment to enhancing defence cooperation. 
• India invited the Philippines to partner in co-developing and co-producing military equipment, while the Philippines sought investments and appreciated India’s defence industry model. 
• Both countries affirmed support for self-reliance in defence production and welcomed cooperation in multilateral forums.
• India praised the Philippines’ Self Reliance Defence Posture Act and highlighted India's similar vision, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, which focuses on enhancing defence manufacturing and exports.

Bilateral Relation between India and Philippines

• India and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on November 26, 1949, shortly after their independence (the Philippines in 1946 and India in 1947).

Defence Cooperation:

• In January 2022, India and the Philippines signed a $374.6 million deal for the export of BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, marking India’s first major international defence export. 
• By April 2024, India delivered the first set of launchers and missiles to the Philippines.
• The Indian and Philippine Navies conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise involving Indian warships INS Ranvijay and INS Kora, and the Philippine Navy's BRP Antonio Luna.

Trade and Investment:

• Trade between India and the Philippines reached a record $3.5 billion in the financial year 2023-2024, a 15% increase from the previous year, though it constitutes only 0.21% of India’s total trade.
• The Philippines accounts for around 20% of India's total pharma exports to the ASEAN region. 
• Estimated Indian investments in the Philippines are valued at approximately $5 billion.
• India and the Philippines are exploring collaboration in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Renewable Energy.
• Diaspora: The Indian community in the Philippines is around 150,000, predominantly Punjabis and Sindhis.