In Manila, the Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar on Tuesday during its port call. He articulated that India’s Act East strategy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific will persist, evolving with contemporary times. Jaishankar conveyed his sentiments at the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar, emphasizing the symbolism of his visit and the ship’s presence in reinforcing bilateral ties.
“Delighted to tour the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar during its port call in Manila. My visit, alongside the ship’s, underscores the deepening relationship between India and the Philippines. The enduring maritime legacy of India leaves an indelible mark in this region. Our Act East policy and Indo-Pacific outlook are instrumental in shaping current dynamics,” shared EAM Jaishankar via social media X.
He further expressed gratification in engaging with personnel aboard the Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar during its Manila port call. The ship’s visit aligned with Jaishankar’s bilateral engagements. “Collaboration between our coast guards, facilitated by an agreement on heightened maritime cooperation, bears testament to our commitment,” he remarked.
Jaishankar highlighted the commencement of specialized training programs in India. “We welcomed the Philippine Coast Guard commander, and I’m pleased to note the initiation of specialized training courses in India. The participation of the Philippines in search and rescue operations and pollution response exercises conducted by the Indian Coast Guard is commendable,” he affirmed.
Moreover, he underscored the significance of the pollution control vessel’s visit to the Philippines, emphasizing shared environmental challenges. “Countries in the Indo-Pacific with shared values should intensify collaboration. Notably, this vessel hails from Gujarat, a state I had the privilege to represent in parliament. Its inclusion of National Cadet Corps cadets is heartening,” he remarked.
Jaishankar emphasized the contemporary imperative of environmental protection and sustainable development. “Efforts in this regard have gained momentum, and we anticipate further progress,” he added.
“The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative, in which both nations participate, aims to foster cooperation across diverse maritime endeavors,” he observed. Additionally, he highlighted India and the Philippines’ membership in the recapping mechanism.
“We’ve witnessed the inception of ASEAN India maritime exercises,” he noted. Jaishankar emphasized the robust bilateral ties between India and the Philippines as maritime nations. Following his official visit to Singapore, Jaishankar’s itinerary includes Malaysia after the Philippines.
Jaishankar’s official visits to these countries were extended on invitations from his counterparts, as per an official release from the Ministry of External Affairs. Spanning five days from March 23-27, his visit aims to bolster bilateral ties and engage on regional concerns.