September 16, 2026 11:48 AM

“India a responsible player, preferred security partner”: Philippines envoy to India

Philippines Ambassador to India Josel F Ignacio said that India and the Philippines have witnessed a significant deepening of ties over the past decade, with the relationship elevated to a strategic partnership last year. Addressing the valedictory session of the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on Tuesday, Ignacio said, “Our relationship formally, diplomatically, is 77 years old… It was really about 10 years ago that the visible intensification happe...

September 15, 2026 11:46 AM

Philippines Foreign Secy hails “very successful” BRICS summit under India’s chairship, highlights South-South cooperation

Philippines has commended India for organising a “very successful” BRICS Summit and highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation as a key aspect of the grouping. In an interview with ANI on Tuesday from Manila, the Philippines’ Foreign Secretary Ma Theresa P Lazaro, praised the diversity of BRICS membership and India’s efforts in steering the grouping amid differing geopolitical perspectives. “I think the issue of South-South cooperation is very important, and I think this i...

September 2, 2026 7:40 PM

Saudi Arabia says Iran attacked vessel in Hormuz, killing two sailors

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, said on Wednesday that an Iranian attack on an oil tanker owned by its national shipping company had killed two Filipino seafarers. Sidr, owned by Bahri, was one of two supertankers carrying Saudi oil reported to have been hit late on Monday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has threatened tankers attempting to sail through the narrow waterway without authorisation, impeding energy exports from neighbouring oil-rich Gulf countries...

August 13, 2026 9:42 AM

Navy Chief Swaminathan meets Mauritius PM, discusses ways to boost maritime security ties

Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Wednesday called on Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discussed ways to bolster maritime security cooperation between the two countries. Admiral Swaminathan is currently on a four-day visit to Mauritius starting August 10 to solidify bilateral maritime engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation. “Adm Krishna Swaminathan, #CNS, on an official visit to #Mauritius, called on His Excellency, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam,...

August 7, 2026 12:34 AM

Sarbananda Sonowal calls for technology-driven maritime security as India’s port network expands

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday called for a technology-led transformation of India's maritime security architecture, saying the country's expanding port network and growing role in global trade require resilient, integrated and future-ready security systems capable of addressing emerging cyber and geopolitical threats. Addressing the 2nd National Port Security Conference 2026 in New Delhi, Sonowal said India's ports should be evaluated not only b...

July 14, 2026 10:02 AM

India launches campaign for UNSC non-permanent seat for 2028–29 term; EAM Jaishankar outlines priorities on terror financing, maritime security and AI

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday launched India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term, outlining New Delhi's vision for a more representative, effective and future-ready global order while identifying countering terror financing, strengthening maritime security and promoting responsible governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as key priorities. Addressing member states at the UN Headquarters, EAM Jaishankar s...

October 31, 2025 4:08 PM

ASEAN-India relationship will remain a strong pillar of stability, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a stronger and more stable partnership with ASEAN, focusing on shared prosperity, maritime security, gender inclusion in peacekeeping, and deeper defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Addressing the ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Singh said the ASEAN-India relationship remains a pillar of stability in an uncertain global environment. “In today’s uncertain world, where...

October 24, 2025 10:38 PM

ICG launches two indigenously-built Fast Patrol Vessels ‘Ajit’ and ‘Aparajit’

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) achieved another milestone in bolstering India’s maritime security with the launch of two advanced Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) — ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit — at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on Friday. These vessels are the seventh and eighth in a series of eight indigenously built FPVs being constructed by GSL for the ICG, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in defence shipbuilding. Designed and developed entirely by GSL, the 52-metre-long vessels disp...

August 5, 2025 5:04 PM

President Marcos thanks India for 2024 rescue, announces visa-free travel for Indians

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s role in rescuing Filipino nationals following a Houthi rebel attack in 2024. He made the remarks during a joint press conference held in New Delhi. President Marcos underscored the importance of ensuring safe navigation and maritime security for Filipino seafarers. “Safe navigation and security are crucial, especially for Filipino seafarers who serve aboard vessels across these historic...

June 30, 2025 10:28 PM

QUAD nations launch historic ‘At Sea Observer Mission’ to enhance maritime security

In a landmark initiative to bolster maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the first-ever 'QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission.' The cross-embarkation mission, conducted under the Wilmington Declaration, sees two officers—including women officers—from each nation aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, currently en route to Guam. This pioneering mission marks a significant step in operational coordination a...