Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane to Co-Chair India-Philippines Defence Meeting in Manila
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane will visit Manila to co-chair the fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) on September 11. The meeting will be co-chaired by Senior Under Secretary from the Philippines Ministry of National Defence, Irineo Cruz Espino.
This visit is significant as it marks 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines. During the visit, Aramane will discuss ways to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries and meet with other dignitaries from the Philippines government.
The Ministry of Defence highlighted that the two countries have a strong and multifaceted relationship, expanding into several strategic areas, including defence and security. Both nations are committed to supporting each other in achieving self-reliance in defence production.
The JDCC was established under a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed in 2006. The fourth JDCC meeting was held in March 2023 in New Delhi at the Joint Secretary-level, and the fifth edition marks the elevation of the co-chair to Secretary-level.
In July, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo to discuss strengthening collaboration and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations on November 26, 1949, shortly after both nations gained independence. Their relationship is built on shared values such as democracy, rule of law, and the widespread use of the English language.
Doubts Revealed
Defence Secretary -: The Defence Secretary is a high-ranking official in the government who is responsible for the country’s defence matters. In India, this person helps make important decisions about the military and national security.
Giridhar Aramane -: Giridhar Aramane is the current Defence Secretary of India. He is an important person who helps manage India’s defence and military affairs.
Manila -: Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. It is a big city where important meetings and events often take place.
India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee -: This is a group formed by India and the Philippines to work together on defence matters. They meet to discuss how both countries can help each other in military and security areas.
Irineo Cruz Espino -: Irineo Cruz Espino is a high-ranking official in the Philippines Ministry of National Defence. He works on defence matters for the Philippines.
75 years of diplomatic ties -: This means that India and the Philippines have been friends and working together for 75 years. They have had official relations and have helped each other in various ways for a long time.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) -: A Memorandum of Understanding is a formal agreement between two or more parties. In this case, it is an agreement between India and the Philippines to work together on defence matters.
Secretary-level -: Secretary-level means that the meeting is attended by very high-ranking officials, like the Defence Secretary. These are people who make important decisions for their countries.
