Philippines Outlines Priority Areas as Incoming Country Coordinator on ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations
Philippine Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs and SOM Leader Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro represented the Philippines during the 26th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting. (Photo by New Delhi PE)
NEW DELHI 06 May 2024 – Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro discussed the Philippines’ priority areas on furthering ASEAN cooperation with the Republic of India, taking full advantage of the two countries’ robust bilateral ties.
“We hope to take advantage of our vibrant bilateral relations based on shared democratic values and common interest in maintaining peace, security and stability,” Undersecretary Lazaro said. The Philippines intends to work with India on its proposed Joint Political Statement on the 10th Anniversary of Act East and the ASEAN-India Statement on Digital Connectivity for 2024.
Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar of India’s Ministry of External Affairs stressed that “ASEAN is at the heart of India’s ‘Act East’ policy” and acknowledged that “our collective efforts are delivering for our people.”
The practical cooperation areas being discussed by ASEAN and India are digital connectivity and FinTech collaborations, Smart Cities, food security, AI, space and maritime cooperation, among others.
Undersecretary Lazaro thanked India for its support for the 2016 Arbitral Award and expressed support for India’s position that upholding the UNCLOS is our common and collective endeavor, as expressed by India’s Foreign Minister Jaishankar at the First ASEAN Future Forum.
The Philippines will formally assume ASEAN Country Coordinatorship of ASEAN-India Dialogue relations for 2024 to 2027 in July 2024. END