Port call helps in strengthening India-Philippines maritime ties
The ships, under the Command of Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), on departure engaged in bilateral maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy ships on August 3 and 4. The FOCEF called on senior leaders of the Philippines, including Rear Admiral Joe Anthony C Orbe, Commander Philippine Fleet, Lt Gen Jimmy D Larida, Vice Chief of Staff Armed Forces of Philippines, Ignacio B. Madriaga, Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning and Vice Admiral Edger Ybanez, Deputy Commandant for Operations Philippines Coast Guard, underscored the growing strategic convergence between the two maritime nations and reflected a shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific during the high-level interactions.
The engagements reaffirmed the commitment of both the sides, upholding a rules-based international order and strengthening maritime collaboration.
A deck reception hosted onboard INS Shakti provided an opportunity for further interaction among dignitaries including Ambassador of India to Philippines Harsh Kumar Jain, and senior officials from the Philippine Navy and government. The event served to foster and enhance warmth and mutual goodwill between India–Philippines ties.
Professional exchanges including cross deck visits, subject matter expert exchanges and operational planning were a key element of the visit that allowed the exchange of best practices, strengthened mutual understanding and reinforced shared commitment to maritime cooperation for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. A bilateral maritime exercise conducted at sea demonstrated high levels of coordination through tactical manoeuvres, and communication drills, further enhancing operational synergy between the two navies.
The ships were also opened for visitors, welcoming personnel from the Philippine Navy, government officials, students, and members of the Indian community. These interactions promoted maritime awareness and highlighted the Indian Navy's professionalism and technological capability. Indian Navy personnel visited the Friendship Home Father Luis Amigó Orphanage in Manila, and spent time with children. Friendly sports events between personnel of both navies brought an informal yet impactful dimension to the visit. These activities nurtured camaraderie, team spirit, mutual respect and assisted in building trust and people-to-people ties that go beyond the uniform.
The port call to the Philippines marked a significant milestone in strengthening India–Philippines maritime partnership. Through high-level diplomacy, operational engagement, cultural exchanges, and community outreach, the Indian Navy reaffirmed its role as a dependable and cooperative maritime partner, committed to promoting peace, stability, and shared progress in the Indo-Pacific.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Nitish Kumar's domicile policy before Bihar elections may not placate the youth
The Bihar government has announced a domicile policy for recruiting school teachers under the Teachers' Recruitment Exam 4 (TRE4). It has come after a long-drawn-out student agitation demanding reservation in government jobs based on domicile. In 2020, when the Nitish Kumar government brought in the domicile policy for the recruitment of school teachers, it was part of his election promises. However, it was scrapped in 2023 and led to massive protests. In its defence, the government argued that there was a shortage of competent and qualified candidates to teach some subjects, and it was also not legally tenable. Interestingly, the RJD was then the alliance partner. But later, Tejashwi Yadav cornered Kumar over the issue and promised that if his government gets elected, he would revive the domicile policy. It was, nevertheless, the newly born Jan Suraaj party that has highlighted the issue amidst slogans like: 'Vote de Bihari aur naukri le Bahri'. It is yet unclear whether the domicile policy would stand judicial scrutiny. As per reports, 85 per cent of the teachers recruited through TRE4 would be residents of Bihar. According to the amended rules, the students from Bihar state boards would be prioritised. Earlier, the government announced that only the 'permanent residents' of the state would be eligible to get the benefit of the women's reservations in government jobs. Reservations have always been a contentious issue across India. But politics over domicile policy is recently getting traction in the competitive populist discourse. The 'son of the soil' movement is not new to Indian politics. It is like freebies, masquerading as welfare measures and social justice that parties dole out on the eve of the elections. The domicile policy often works as a measure to cover for their failures in ensuring economic development and imparting quality education to the younger population, enabling them to enter the job market. Apart from the domicile policy, Nitish Kumar in recent months has announced a slew of populist schemes like 125 units of free electricity per month, a hike in honorarium of support staff in government schools, incentives for ASHA workers, a rise in social security pension, and the establishment of separate commissions for the youth and sanitation workers. The ageing and beleaguered CM is facing the most difficult election of his political career, with 20 years of anti-incumbency heavily stacked against him. His position in the NDA also looks shaky, as there is no firm commitment from the BJP on his future leadership. Chirag Paswan's LJP, despite being a part of the NDA, hardly misses any chance to snipe at him. The main opposition party, the RJD – the ghost of 'jungle raj' still haunting it and with no significant increase in its social base – has made unemployment a major poll issue. Tejashwi Yadav's continuous push for jobs, despite the inglorious track record of his own party, may offer it a ground to corner the NDA. In the 2020 Assembly election, he had come very close to victory with the poll slogan, 'Kamai-Dabai-Sichai'. This time, there is also a Prashant Kishore factor, which has made education, development and employment, along with mass migration of workers, key agendas of his electoral campaign. In the polarised social context of Bihar, unemployment, lack of industrialisation, and quality education seem to have turned a sizeable section of the youth into caste agnostics. The rhetoric of social justice has run its full course. It is unlikely that populist tactics, like domicile policy, reservation or freebies, would impact the electoral verdict in any significant way. The rest depends on the twists and turns of the coming election. The writer is professor, Political Science at Aryabhatta College, University of Delhi
The Hindu
26 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Centre promises to discuss restrictions on areca-based biodegradable plates by US
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has assured help to experts from Karnataka who had sought the Centre's intervention over the restrictions imposed by US authorities on the import of areca leaf sheath-based biodegradable dinnerware. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued an import alert on May 8, imposing restrictions on biodegradable dinnerware made from arecanut leaf sheaths, including plates, cups, and related products. This had caused concern among scientists, experts, medical professionals and academicians from the areca growing areas of the State, as it would affect the prospects of areca farmers as well as entrepreneurs, since Karnataka is leading the country in these products. Over 100 people had written to the Centre on May 26 seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to lift the U.S. restrictions on biodegradable dinnerware. In the letter, the experts had alleged that such restrictions had been imposed based on ambiguous and unsubstantiated claims that naturally occurring alkaloids in the areca leaf sheath may migrate into food and may pose health risks. They said that the restrictions would undermine a culturally significant eco-friendly industry, and affect thousands of Indian entrepreneurs and farmers. Responding positively, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has replied on July 1 to one of them – Darshan, a biotechnologist hailing from the State's areca-growing region, who was co-ordinating with experts. 'With regard to your representation concerning the restrictions imposed by U.S. FDA on areca leaf sheath-based biodegradable dinnerware, the government of India is engaging with the US authorities to address various non-tariff issues faced by Indian exporters accessing the US market,' states the official letter. 'The government remains committed to safeguarding the interests of India's sustainable industries and promoting fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory trade policies and is fervently promoting 'Mission LiFE' to promote environmentally conscious industries,' it stated, referring to the India-led global mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment Earlier, in their letter to the Centre, the experts had drawn attention to the sizeable global market share of areca-based dinnerware, which is currently valued at approximately ₹3,500 crore, and a number that is projected to double by 2030. Indicating Karnataka's prime position in exports of such products, they had said that around 1,000 metric tonnes of areca leaf dinnerware have been exported from New Mangalore Port of Karnataka, primarily to the US, as well as to Germany, the UK, Australia, Netherlands, and Canada.
Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Modi-Trump showdown over tariffs and Russia trade—explained in 9 charts
A day after the US imposed an additional 25% reciprocal tariff on India, on top of an earlier 25%, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signalled that India was unwilling to offer concessions in agriculture and dairy. 'India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers," Modi said, speaking at the MS Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in Delhi, today. 'I know personally, I will have to pay a heavy price for it, but I am ready for it." And there is indeed a heavy price to pay. The additional US tariffs have put India at a significant disadvantage compared to its peers. While some sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals are shielded by exemptions, many labour-intensive segments such as textiles, organic chemicals and carpets will bear the brunt. These sectors were already subject to high tariffs under the most favoured nation (MFN) regime. Over the past month, India-US ties have deteriorated, largely due to a deadlock over a trade deal. At the heart of the impasse are Washington's demands for greater access to India's agriculture and dairy markets, in exchange for lowering reciprocal tariffs. While the initial 25% tariff in the absence of a deal was expected, the additional penalty, reportedly linked to India's trade with Russia, has drawn criticism. India has accused both the US and the European Union (EU) of hypocrisy for targeting it and Indian companies over continued trade with Moscow, even as those very countries maintain substantial commercial ties with Russia. Even after a sharp rise in India's trade with Russia (particularly on the back of oil), it has not surpassed the level of trade the EU has despite several sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, when it comes to energy imports specifically, India is buying more from Russia than the EU does. The US, too, despite having cut down Russian imports, has continued to purchase key commodities like fertilisers, palladium, and uranium. Asked about the continued US import of Russian uranium, Trump did not offer a proper explanation. 'I don't know anything about it. I have to check it out," he said on this, many experts have also pointed out the US's double standards in taxing India, while China buys more Russian oil. China has not come under fire yet, as its trade deal negotiations with the US may come to fruition. Given the current circumstances, India does have the option to stop purchasing oil from Russia. Before the Ukraine war, India barely purchased oil from Russia. The Indian government has, time and again, claimed that the shift was made only at the request of Washington to keep crude oil prices in check. In a way, India can shift back its focus to its main oil trade partners from pre-war times, such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. According to Nomura estimates, the cost of such a switch would be around $1.5 billion, assuming an average discount of $2.2 per barrel. That's a relatively small figure compared to India's total exports of $87 billion. So while India could stop buying Russian oil at minimal cost, many believe the latest US penalties are not entirely about Moscow. Rather, they reflect Washington's frustration with India's refusal to make the market access concessions it has long sought, a position the prime minister reinforced in his speech today. The escalating tensions have left India in a tight spot. It must now carefully balance the protection of domestic markets with safeguarding the interests of exporters, especially in vulnerable, labour-intensive sectors.
