Good evening to everyone. Ambassador Sri Harish Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Indian Navy, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon and other members of the Indian Navy, National Security Advisor Secretary Eduardo Año, General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commodore David Licona, who you just heard, of the Philippine Navy, and other AFP and Philippine Navy officials, distinguished guests, fellow colleagues in the diplomatic corps, fellow government officials, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant evening to all, and namaskar. Thank you. 

On behalf of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Maria Teresa Lazaro, and my colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs, I am honored to join all of you tonight on the occasion of the port call of the naval ships: INS Kiltan, INS Shakti (where we are onboard today), INS Delhi, and arriving tomorrow, as mentioned, INS Sandhayak. 

Truly, this is another milestone in maritime and defense cooperation for the Philippines and India, as we see our engagement in these two critical areas deepen further. This morning, the Malacañang Palace announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will go to India next week for a state visit upon the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This upcoming visit is vital, as we look forward to the bright future of our partnership and convey to the world our commitment to strengthen and expand our bilateral relations. 

As the DFA Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, I must mention the people-to-people contacts, as mentioned earlier, the presence of Filipinos in India, and of course, the very important presence of Indian nationals in the Philippines. We also thank India, as the President already did, for heroically assisting and rescuing Philippine seafarers in the past. And thank you.

 There are no words to describe our appreciation to you. Thank you. So, the visit is vital. We look forward to the bright future of our partnership and convey to the world our commitment to expand our bilateral relations. My warmest congratulations to the Government of India and to stronger ties between our countries, to fair winds and the following seas. Thank you very much. Maraming salamat. Namaste!