India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro in New York today, just ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The meeting came shortly after Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr completed a high-profile state visit to India in August.
Jaishankar shared details of the engagement on X, writing that he was pleased to connect with Lazaro at the start of the UNGA deliberations. He added that the talks built upon the momentum created during President Marcos Jr’s visit, which highlighted the growing importance of India-Philippines ties.
Foreign Secretary Lazaro also posted about the meeting, stating that it reaffirmed the two countries’ shared commitment as strategic partners. She emphasized that cooperation would continue to expand across a wide range of areas, including politics, defence, maritime security, and other emerging domains.
The August state visit of President Marcos Jr marked a significant moment in bilateral relations. Over the course of five days, he engaged with Indian leadership on deepening cooperation in areas such as defence modernisation, trade, infrastructure development, and regional security. The visit underscored the Philippines’ increasing focus on building strong partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, where India plays a critical role.
Jaishankar’s latest meeting with Lazaro signals that both governments are keen to maintain the momentum. The Indo-Pacific has become a central focus of strategic discussions between New Delhi and Manila, particularly in the context of ensuring maritime stability and upholding international law in the region. As tensions over territorial waters continue to make headlines, such collaboration carries broader implications for regional peace and security.
Defence and security ties between the two countries have gained traction in recent years, with the Philippines emerging as an important partner in India’s “Act East” policy. The collaboration extends beyond defence hardware to include training, capacity building, and maritime domain awareness.
The interaction in New York reflects a broader alignment of interests at the global stage. As both nations participate in the UNGA, their emphasis on multilateral cooperation reinforces their desire to work together in shaping international policies. By building on the outcomes of recent high-level visits, New Delhi and Manila appear determined to take their strategic partnership to greater heights.
