Philippines Ambassador to India, Josel Francisco Ignacio, expressed his strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties, emphasizing the progress made in areas like trade, investments, and air connectivity between the two nations.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Ambassador Ignacio reflected on the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines in 2024. He credited Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Philippines Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo for their significant contributions in elevating the relationship between the two countries.
“Dr. Jaishankar has been very supportive of the Philippines and has given priority to strengthening India-Philippines relations,” he said.
While acknowledging areas for further improvement, the Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the substantial progress made in recent years. He highlighted the positive impact of India’s “Act East” policy, which has brought India closer to ASEAN and Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines, over the past decade.
“Over the last five years, our relationship has undergone a remarkable transformation. For example, our trade reached USD 3 billion in 2023, the first time ever, and we managed to sustain this level in 2024. We aim to build on this success and expand the variety of goods traded between our countries, potentially negotiating a preferential trade agreement to enhance synergies in exports and imports,” he explained.
Ambassador Ignacio also emphasized the Philippines’ interest in boosting investments in India, particularly in West Bengal, where Filipino companies are encouraged to explore new business opportunities.
A key priority for the Ambassador is the restoration of direct air connectivity between the Philippines and India. He noted, “We are pleased to see progress in this regard. We are confident that this year, we will restore direct air services, and we hope that more airlines, including those from the Philippines, will follow suit in the coming years.”
Regarding the role of Dr. Jaishankar in strengthening bilateral relations, Ambassador Ignacio stated, “We are grateful for Dr. Jaishankar’s unwavering support across all areas of our relationship. We look forward to further cultivating the strong ties he has built with my Foreign Minister in the months and years ahead.”