Indian minister to discuss bilateral cooperation with Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Indian Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid will lead a discussion of bilateral cooperation, particularly on security, defense and trade with the Philippines during his visit to Manila next week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday Khurshid would visit Manila on Oct. 21-22 for the 2nd Meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.

The minister will pay a courtesy call on President Aquino and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, chairman of the Philippine delegation to the joint commission.

Del Rosario and Khurshid are expected to discuss the progress of the joint working groups on trade and investment, tourism, renewable energy, agriculture and health.

They are also expected to exchange views and share experiences on international and regional issues such as maritime security cooperation.

On Oct. 22, Khurshid will deliver the inaugural lecture of the Rizal-Nehru Memorial Lectures at the Foreign Service Institute.

In the lecture titled “The Shaping of Indian Foreign Policy,” the minister will talk on the foreign policy of India, including the Look East Policy, and Philippine-Indian relations.

After the lecture, he will turn over to Foreign Service Institute director Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina a donation of 200 books from the government of India.

This is the first official visit to the Philippines of Khurshid and his first bilateral meeting with Del Rosario since he assumed his post as external affairs minister.

The first joint commission meeting was hosted by India in New Delhi on March 15, 2011.