EAM Jaishankar holds delegation-level talks with Philippines Secretary of foreign affairs

New Delhi, April 24: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday held delegation-level talks with Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teddy Locsin Jr in New Delhi. Welcoming Locsin Jr in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "Pleasure to welcome Secretary of Foreign Affairs @teddyboylocsin (Teddy Locsin Jr.) of Philippines as he arrives in Delhi for an official visit. The visit will strengthen our multi-faceted partnership & advance the shared priorities of our countries in the Indo-Pacific." Earlier in February, Jaishankar concluded his Philippines visit, during which he reviewed bilateral relations as both sides agreed to further expand economic cooperation and reaffirmed their strong commitment to a multifaceted partnership. The EAM was in the Philippines from February 13-15. The union minister held bilateral talks with his counterpart, Teodoro L. Locsin Jr, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. The two Ministers discussed bilateral relations since the meeting of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, which they co-chaired virtually in November 2020. Also Read | Punjab Police nabs five gangsters from Ludhiana mall They also addressed the current prospect of the two countries' extensive engagement. The two Ministers also engaged in an in-depth discussion on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Ministers welcomed recent trends in bilateral ties that have led to the deepening of mutually beneficial collaboration and the expansion into newer areas based on shared interests, along with the vision of both countries' leaders. They decided to continue working to strengthen engagement in counter-terrorism, defence, and maritime security, including defence capabilities, military training, and capacity building. MEA informed that the Ministers also noted with satisfaction recent initiatives to step up cooperation in emerging areas such as fintech, blue economy, renewable energy, space, cyber security and traditional medicine. Also Read | PM Modi to receive first Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award in Mumbai -PTC News