SMF - Just Installed!
Duterte is in India to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - India Commemorative Summit and India's Republic Day celebration, where he and fellow regional leaders were considered chief guests.India’s invitation is widely seen as a charm offensive in the face of economic powerhouse China's diplomatic moves in Southeast Asia. “Politically, the Philippine President described India as a 'rising superpower' that has a moderating effect in international relations,” Roque said in a news conference in New Delhi.“The President emphasized the commonality between the Philippines and India and that is the pursuit of an independent foreign policy.”Some analysts see India, the world’s largest democracy, as a counter to China’s military and economic might.
Upon arriving here for the India-Asean Commemorative Summit, the Philippine leader sat down with Modi for an hour to discuss economic and political ties between their countries and even the possibility of a military cooperation.“There was a commitment, in fact, for the Philippines to purchase Indian military hardware,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque told a press briefing here.Asked afterward to elaborate, he said the issue came up when Modi broached his country’s capability in producing military weapons.“The Prime Minister said they have expertise in ships and other military hardware, so President Duterte manifested that in the same way he has decided to purchase weapons from China and Russia, he will also consider purchasing Indian weapons,” Roque said.The Malacañang official said Mr. Duterte also thanked India for its support in the rehabilitation of Marawi City, particularly a cash donation of $500,000 for the rebuilding effort.The two leaders, at Mr. Duterte’s prompting, also talked of a possible military relationship between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to combat terrorism and piracy in the high seas, according to Roque.