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Delhi, Manila exploring ties between armies

SINGAPORE: India and the Philippines are exploring the possibilities of cooperative engagement between their armies.

Chief of the Army Staff Deepak Kapoor, who on Saturday concluded a “goodwill visit” to Manila, and the Commanding-General of the Philippines Army, Alexander B. Yano, exchanged views about drawing lessons from the differing experiences of the two countries in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, peace-keeping under the United Nations auspices, and disaster management.

Lt. Gen. Kapoor’s visit, the first by an Indian Army Chief in five years, took place under the framework of a bilateral Agreement on Defence Cooperation signed in 2006 during the then President Abdul Kalam’s visit to Manila.

Lt. Gen. Kapoor, who also called on the Filipino Secretary of National Defence, Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., led a five-member delegation that included Maj. Gen. T.S. Handa. The Army Chief was assisted by Ambassador to the Philippines Rajeet Mitter and Defence Adviser G. Ashok Kumar.

No strategic objective was spelt out by either India or the Philippines for their latest exercise in defence diplomacy.

However, Lt. Gen. Kapoor’s visit acquires regional importance following his discussions in Malaysia, another South-east Asian country, on firming up army-related dialogue.

He was then assisted by High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok Kantha and Defence Adviser Siwach.

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Delhi, Manila exploring ties between armies

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