PH, India to upgrade defense security cooperation- Envoy

New Delhi, India—The Philippines and India are ramping up relations to address common regional challenges and interests.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Philippine Ambassador to India Josel Ignacio said new aspects of bilateral ties are taking shape, particularly in security.

"Philippine-India relations have leveled up so much that they're now 'turbocharged,'" said Ignacio.

"The relationship took off economically, and now, may mga bago tayong aspeto ng ugnayan natin [We have new aspects of relations], especially in defense, which has enhanced maritime security," he added.

Ignacio said India has the capability to build its own defense equipment and systems.

"They now produce almost everything," he said. "They have aircraft, armaments, missiles, military trucks—so they can offer a lot."

Ignacio said the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are the lead agencies when it comes to defense procurement.

He added it remains to be seen whether the upgrading of defense ties will lead to similar agreements like those with the United States, Australia, and Japan.

"We're developing all aspects of defense. We have defense equipment training and exchanges for now, and we're culminating dialogues," said Ignacio.

India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines in April.

The Defense Department had said the missiles would provide "deterrence against attempts to undermine our sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the West Philippine Sea."