A high-level delegation from the Philippines has met officials at India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in New Delhi to deepen maritime ties, with a focus on seafarer cooperation, maritime security and blue economy opportunities under the ASEAN–India maritime agenda.
The visit came alongside the Second India–Philippines Maritime Dialogue held on 2 March 2026, where both sides “exchanged assessments of developments in the Indo-Pacific region and shared perspectives on Law of the Sea,” and agreed to step up collaboration at forums such as the UN, ReCAAP and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Discussions with MoPSW covered port and shipping links, maritime domain awareness, Navy and Coast Guard engagements, and enhanced cooperation on seafarers—significant given that India and the Philippines are among the world’s largest suppliers of merchant navy officers and ratings.
The delegations also explored joint work in marine scientific research, ocean economy, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), as well as managing supply chain disruptions—areas that dovetail with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declaration of 2026 as the “ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation.” Both countries see closer maritime partnership as key to supporting a rules‑based order in the Indo‑Pacific and to leveraging their respective port and logistics strengths for regional trade.
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