India-Philippines Relations: Intersecting Interests, Shared Vision and Way Forward

This book commemorates and celebrates 75 years of robust and multi-dimensional diplomatic relations between our two vibrant democracies, India and the Philippines. Through nine chapters, penned by relying mainly on primary documents, published works, and consultations with experts and practitioners, this book takes the reader beyond historical, civilisational, political and economic synergies to locate the partnership and its potential in both bilateral and multilateral areas. As their importance grows in the regional and global order, there is an imperative to identify avenues for their enhanced understanding through culture, history, economics, science, technology, innovations, and defense collaborations. This understanding will fortify and sustain their partnership to redress challenges posed by geo-economic and geo-strategic tensions - the raison d’etre for them to consolidate past achievements and move towards enhancing their regional and global presence. Given the aggressive posturing by China, suggested policy prescriptions aim to catalyze their holistic connections. This volume responds to questions such as: What explains the need to strengthen India-Philippines partnership undergirded by their historical, diasporic and cultural affinities? How have both New Delhi and Manila reassessed their economic and strategic visions in the context of the transforming Indo-Pacific discourses? Given that defense cooperation has been the hallmark of trust building, how has this been reflected in their shared visions for regional security, peace and prosperity? Finally, what are the key sectors and catalysts for forging closer cooperation for the next 25 years of India-Philippines diplomatic relations.