His Excellency Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, other members of the Diplomatic Corps present, may I also greet U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy, Yusef Eduardo Serdebraga, Deputy Director General Nestor Herico, General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff, AFP, Rear Admiral Rommel A. Supangan, representing the Philippine Coast Guard Commandant, Major General Apron Morados, Vice Commander of the Philippine Army, Commodore Lued L. Lincuna, representing the FOIC, Philippine Navy, representatives from the different national government agencies present, foreign armed forces at the SACOR, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Shubh Sandhya, good evening to all of you. I feel deeply honored to join tonight's reception onboard this Indian Naval Ship Shakti. 

I thank Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain and Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar for this kind invitation and for such glorious hosting of this reception. Today marks a momentous occasion as we celebrate this year’s 75 years of enduring friendship and diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the Republic of the Philippines. This milestone is not just a reflection of our shared history but a testament to the strength, resilience, and evolving partnership between our two nations. 

We are honored by the presence of INS Shakti making a port call in Manila. This visit is more than ceremonial—it is symbolic of our growing maritime cooperation, mutual trust, and shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

 I extend my warmest welcome to the Indian Navy sailors and officers who have over the years proven and demonstrated their strength and commitment with their valiance, dedication, and sacrifices. To all of you, we owe the Navy’s long and proud history of serving the nation and protecting its rights and interests across its territories and beyond. 

At present, the Philippines and India are working on and engaged in 13 bilateral mechanisms and a total of 39 bilateral agreements spanning diverse fields such as trade and investment, science and technology, maritime and air services, culture and education, energy and agriculture, health and traditional medicine, and defense and security, among others. 

In terms of economic relations, India is the Philippines’ 12th largest source of tourist arrivals and 14th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling USD 8.5 billion in 2024. And I cannot fail to mention the key pillars of our defense and security cooperation which we continue to work on. 

The Joint Defense Cooperation Committee, established under the 2006 Philippine-India Agreement on Defense Cooperation, serves as a platform to exchange views on defense and security issues, review and assess current defense relations, as well as potential areas of cooperation.

 We have also fortified cooperation in the procurement of defense materials and equipment, beginning with the signing of the MOU on Defense Industry and Logistics Cooperation. In 2022, this cooperation reached a new height when the Philippines acquired a shore-based anti-ship missile system for the Philippine Navy through a government-to-government deal. The BrahMos project includes training for operators and maintainers, and an integrated logistics support package. 

We also recognize the deepening Philippines-India maritime cooperation between our navies and coastguards through capacity building, education and training exchanges, information sharing, exchange visits of delegations, and many more. In 2003 and 2004, the Philippines-India Maritime Dialogue was convened as the primary mechanism for maritime cooperation. We are thankful to India, which, as a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), has consistently affirmed its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, adhering to and putting forward a rule-based approach on the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and UNCLOS.

 We acknowledge that the Indian Navy holds and takes an ever-crucial role in putting the rule of law at the front and center—being steadfast defenders and agents of maintaining secure and peaceful maritime order in the region. With their presence, strong commitment, and our continued partnerships, we now have another strong and important ally as we advance our collective pursuit of a stable, just, and rule-based maritime order. Given the Navy’s role in our oceans, I thus hope that this visit will be maximized by our Indian Navy sailors and officers, together with their Philippine counterparts, setting our sights on bolstering and elevating cooperation among other important pursuits that we maintain and strengthen. 

As the oldest and largest democracies in Asia, the Philippines and India are like-minded countries with shared values rooted in democratic ideals and respect for basic freedoms. This makes us innately aligned to uphold and preserve a rule-based international order. Given our geostrategic positions as coastal states along the busiest trade routes and sea lines of communication in the Indo-Pacific, our strategic partnership can become a formidable posture in resisting any unilateral attempts to undermine, weaken, or change generally accepted norms, practices, and principles of a rule-based international order—endangering regional peace, stability, and prosperity. 

In this respect, receptions such as this, embodying our accelerating cooperation, serve as powerful reminders of the importance of our shared vision in our relationship. This year, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our bilateral relations, we are elated and proud that we continue to take steps forward.

 First, our President, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is set to undertake a five-day state visit to India next week. 

Second, we are working on the elevation of bilateral relations and the establishment of a Philippine-India strategic partnership. 

And third, efforts are already underway to convene the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation later this year. With this, we are optimistic that the Philippines-India bilateral relations and strategic partnership will continue to share and realize its vision in the coming years. 

Before I end, let me take a moment to honor a recent act of compassion and solidarity. In May 2025, off the coast of Kerala, India, a cargo vessel, MSC Elsa 3, met with tragedy. On board were 20 Filipino seafarers whose lives hung in the balance. The Indian Coast Guard, responding swiftly and decisively, rescued the 11 remaining crew, ensuring that every life was saved. These rescues are more than maritime operations—they reflect our shared values of compassion, cooperation, and commitment to human dignity. They also deepen trust and friendship between India and the Philippines, reminding us that beyond diplomacy and defense, our partnership is rooted in people-to-people solidarity.

 Indeed, we have proven the strength, the resilience, and relevance of our relations in the past 75 years. Let the visit of INS Shakti and other ships inspire deeper collaboration, greater understanding, and renewed spirit of friendship between our nations. 

As we look ahead, may the great waves of cooperation continue to carry our nations toward a future that is secure, peaceful, and progressive for both of our nations. 

Thank you.