The Hindu : International / India & World : India, Philippines to exchange military training expertise

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 05, 2006

International

International - India & World

India, Philippines to exchange military training expertise

Diplomatic Correspondent

Significant accord signed during President Abdul Kalam's visit

PHOTO: AP

CHEERS TO BILATERAL TIES: Philippine President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam offer toast during a state dinner on Saturday at the Malacanang Palace in Manila.

MANILA: New Delhi and Manila signed four agreements on military exchanges, agricultural cooperation, tourism and pharmaceuticals, even as President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam held talks with his Philippines counterpart Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo here on Saturday.

With the two countries pursuing a pro-American approach in the region, the defence accord is significant.

The Philippines committed some troops to Iraq in 2003 after the U.S. invasion of the West Asian country.

Exchange programme

India and the Philippines will exchange military training expertise and information, and exchange military instructors/observers and visits of military aircraft and naval vessels.

A joint working group is to be set up for agricultural cooperation, which will include rice production and processing, multiple cropping system and dry land farming.

Pharmaceuticals

In pharmaceuticals, the Philippines will source quality medicines from India.

"India has been supportive of the Philippines Government's pro-poor initiatives to make commonly bought medicines available at reduced prices," said a note on the agreement.

The accord on cooperation seeks to increase two-way tourism.

Tourism-related activities will include exchange of information as well as joint marketing and promotion.

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