An Indian pollution control vessel arrived in Manila, highlighting the shared challenges in marine pollution faced by India and the Philippines, according to India’s external affairs minister.
During a speech aboard the Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Samudra Paheredar, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar emphasized the significance of the ship’s visit to the Philippines. He noted that both countries have common challenges in combating pollution, illegal fishing, and ensuring marine environmental protection.
Jaishankar mentioned the cooperation between the coast guards of India and the Philippines, which was facilitated by an agreement reached the previous year. He expressed gratitude for the Philippines’ involvement in search and rescue and pollution response exercises conducted by the Indian Coast Guard.
The minister also highlighted the importance of like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region enhancing cooperation, referring to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPIO) initiated by India in 2019.
Prior to the visit, Jaishankar held a joint press briefing with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. During the briefing, Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for the Philippines in defending its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
Manalo acknowledged that India, through its defense industries, will assist in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The ICGS Samudra Paheredar is on a three-day visit to Manila as part of its ASEAN deployment from March 25 to April 12. After the Philippines, the coast guard vessel is scheduled to visit Vietnam and Brunei.
