Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane will co-chair the fifth meeting of India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee tomorrow in Manila, Philippines. The meeting will be co-chaired by Senior Under Secretary from the Ministry of National Defence of Philippines Irineo Cruz Espino.

According to the Defence Ministry, Mr. Aramane will discuss ways to further consolidate defence cooperation between the two countries. He will also meet with other dignitaries of the government of the Philippines.

The Joint Defence Cooperation Committee was constituted in order to further strengthen defence cooperation between the Philippines and India. Its first meeting was held in Manila in 2012 and the second meeting in New Delhi in 2017. Mr. Aramane visit assumes significance as India and Philippines celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of India’s Act East Policy.