Benedicto now RP Ambassador to India

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Francisco Benedicto has been designated the new Philippine Ambassador to India with concurrent jurisdiction over the country’s foreign relations with the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

In a farewell luncheon yesterday, Benedicto said he will assume his new post on Tuesday and promised to exert his best to promote bilateral trade agreements between the Philippines and the two countries.

A major item in his agenda, Benedicto said, is to introduce to the Indian businessmen the business opportunities in the Philippines and to encourage Indians to visit the country.

“I will do my best to make these two countries to have strong economic ties... this new task is a big challenge for me,” Benedicto said.

But aside from his responsibilities with India and Nepal, Benedicto said he also aims to initiate diplomatic relations with Bhutan.

Benedicto has served as DFA undersecretary for two years and nine months. Before that, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary to the Republic of Singapore from 1986-1993 and as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea from 1993 to 1995.

From 1996 to 1998, he also served as AEP to the Federative Republic of Brazil and served in the same capacity to Canada from 1998 to 2005. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO