August 17, 2023 (Quezon City) – Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., met with H.E. Shambhu Santha Kumaran, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, during the Ambassador’s courtesy call at the Department of National Defense.

During the call, Secretary Teodoro and Ambassador Kumaran reaffirmed their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order and strengthening relations with like-minded countries in the region.

Ambassador Kumaran conveyed that India recognizes the Philippines’ emerging role in shaping the regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific. The Ambassador further conveyed India’s support for ASEAN centrality and all ASEAN platforms, particularly the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.

Both officials agreed to elevate the level of their dialogue mechanisms in view of increasing and deepening defense and military engagements. Secretary Teodoro reiterated the invitation to meet with India’s Minister of Defence, which may also be conducted through virtual means.

Ambassador Kumaran encouraged strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism, cyber security, maritime security, and other specialized training programs that could enhance capabilities of their military establishments in addressing common defense and security challenges.

On acquisition and defense industry cooperation, Secretary Teodoro highlighted the importance of deepening collaboration among defense industries of both countries as the Philippines is currently in the phase of developing a credible defense posture. Ambassador Kumaran welcomed the initiative and further conveyed India’s willingness to support, through line of funding or credits, the development of the Philippine’s defense infrastructure, including extensive maintenance support for various projects and transfer of technology.

Ambassador Kumaran also reassured the timely delivery of the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System (SBASM), which is being procured by the Philippines from BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.