Manila-Bound Indian Security Studies Delegation Oriented on Intensified PH-India Ties at Pre-Departure Call on Ambassador
Ambassador Ignacio welcomes and addresses the National Defence College delegation. (New Delhi PE photo)
NEW DELHI 23 May 2024 — A Manila-bound 16-person delegation from the National Defence College of India (NDC) were oriented on intensifying ties between the Philippines and India, including in the security sphere, during their pre-departure call on the Philippine Embassy on 17 May 2024.
Led by Major General Samarth Nagar, SDS (Army III), the delegation consisted of senior officials from the Armed Forces and Civil Services of India, as well as guest Armed Forces officials from Nigeria, Nepal, Brazil, and South Africa, who are enrolled in the NDC’s 64th annual course on National Security and Strategic Studies.
The visit to the Philippines is part of the 47-week course’s Foreign Countries Study Tour (FCST) segment that provides opportunities for interaction with host country officials and visits to civil, military, industrial, administrative, and financial agencies.
The NDC delegation was warmly received by Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio and his team. The Ambassador lauded the Philippine visit as a further manifestation of intensified overall defense and security engagement between the two countries.
Military education and training exchanges have also picked up pace, mirroring the perceptible enhancement of overall engagement.
Third Secretary Melissa Anne Telan delivered a presentation on Philippines-India relations that captured the essence of burgeoning ties and highlighted recent key milestones and gains in the relationship, which turns 75 years old this year.
An open forum moderated by Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Rolando P. Gomez saw Ambassador Ignacio field questions from NDC delegates on regional developments of shared import and concern to the two countries.
The annual NDC Course focuses on national security within the domestic, regional and international context, and instructs participants on the economic, political, military, scientific and organizational aspects of national strategy planning.
“We are resolved to see the continued cross-germination of perspectives via exchanges between our security experts and students”, said Ambassador Ignacio. “We will work to encourage enrollment in our countries’ respective national security programs”. The Philippines has a similar offering in the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program of the National Defense College of the Philippines.
NDC delegation head Major General Nagar thanked the Embassy for the informative program, warm hospitality and visa assistance extended to the delegation by the Embassy. END
Ambassador Ignacio fields questions from NDC delegates at the Embassy briefing. (New Delhi PE photo)
Third Secretary Telan (Economic Affairs) presenting an overview of Philippine-Indian relations. Defense Attaché Gomez moderating the Q&A segment between delegates and Amb. Ignacio. (New Delhi PE photo)
Embassy officials with the NDC delegation (Front Row, left to right: Col. Gomez, Third Secretary Telan, Amb. Ignacio, NDC delegation head M/Gen. Nagar, and Third Secretary Articulo). (New Delhi PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.newdelhipe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/Philippine-Embassy-in-India-348528665275556/.