Teodoro, Indian envoy talk on increasing defense ties

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Santha Kumaran met on Tuesday and agreed to deepen the two countries' defense and military ties.

"Both have agreed to elevate the level of their dialogue mechanisms in view of increasing and deepening defense and military engagements," the DND said in a statement.

During a courtesy call, Kumaran said India recognizes the Philippines' emerging role in shaping the regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific.

Both officials also reaffirmed their commitment to upholding a "rules-based international order and strengthening relations with like-minded countries in the region."

Teodoro is also set to have a virtual meeting with India's Minister of Defense as both representatives agreed to strengthen the cooperation on counter-terrorism, cyber security, maritime security, and other specialized training programs to enhance military capabilities.

Kumaran also expressed India's willingness "to support, through line of funding or credits, the development of the Philippines' defense infrastructure, including extensive maintenance support for various projects and transfer of technology."

Moreover, he reassured the timely delivery of the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System (SBASM), which the Philippines is procuring from BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.—LDF, GMA Integrated News