Jaishankar Meets Philippine Counterpart Tess Lazaro on UNGA Sidelines

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with his Philippine counterpart, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa "Tess" Lazaro, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here on Monday. The meeting focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in the UN framework and the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between India and the Philippines amid shared concerns over regional security and global governance.

Jaishankar, who arrived in New York on Sunday for the high-level UNGA session, described the engagement as productive, highlighting its role in following up on high-level exchanges.

In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar expressed pleasure at meeting Lazaro, noting, "We followed up on the recent State Visit of President @bongbongmarcos to India. Also discussed our cooperation in the UN and the Indo-Pacific region." The conversation built on the momentum from Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to India last month, where he engaged with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials.

That trip, Marcos's first to India as president, emphasized elevating ties in defense, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceuticals, with agreements signed to enhance maritime security and economic linkages.

Lazaro echoed the positive tone, stating that the dialogue "reaffirms our 2 countries’ commitment as Strategic Partners to actively develop cooperation in political, defence and security, the maritime domain, etc."

Upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022 during Modi's visit to Manila, the India-Philippines relationship has gained urgency due to overlapping interests in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in countering assertiveness in the South China Sea. Both nations are members of the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) and ASEAN-related forums, where they advocate for a rules-based international order and freedom of navigation.

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The meeting occurs against the backdrop of the 79th UNGA, where leaders are addressing pressing global issues like climate change, conflicts, and sustainable development. For India and the Philippines—key players in the Global South—the discussions signal a proactive approach to multilateralism, including joint efforts in UN reforms and counter-terrorism.

As New York hosts over 190 world leaders, this bilateral outreach reinforces India's "Act East" policy and the Philippines' pivot toward diversified partnerships, potentially paving the way for further high-level interactions and joint initiatives in the coming year.

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