The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Indian Armed Forces have renewed their commitment to a more robust defense cooperation.

The two sides held the 5th Joint Defense Cooperation Committee and the 3rd Service-to-Service Meeting on Tuesday in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Wednesday.

“During the meeting, participants from both parties reviewed and assessed the progress and achievements since their last meeting, highlighting collaborative initiatives and future areas of focus,” he added.

Participants from the AFP and their Indian counterparts shared insights and strategies to address the evolving security dynamics in the region, emphasizing the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation, Trinidad said.

“The AFP and Indian Armed Forces aim to enhance operational coordination through joint exercises, training programs, and technology exchanges,” he added.

Military relations between the Philippines and India are on a solid footing after the AFP acquired three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile system which will be used for the Navy’s shore-based anti-ship missile system.

Trinidad said these high-level discussions underscored the enduring commitment between the two nations, building on a relationship anchored by the 2006 Defense Cooperation Agreement and the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Industry and Logistics Cooperation. (PNA)