IN the modern age, countries need to trade – and trade well – in order to provide for the needs of their citizens. While engaging in trade internationally is highly competitive, there is also the element of cooperation involved to ensure that the supply chain remains unhampered.
Cooperation in commercial aviation is important to move people from one city to another. But in the case of goods that are needed in bulk or huge quantities by every nation, there is no substitute for ocean-going container ships and tankers.
On maritime matters, the Philippines stands out as participant because of two things. First, the Philippine archipelago is one of the few countries along the international sea lane in the South China Sea where more than 60 percent of global maritime trade passes, 22 percent of the total global trade, and one-third of the world’s shipping. Second, almost a quarter of the world’s seafarers are Filipinos, according to recent data.
Supply chain and logistical issues surfaced with the advent of more and more geopolitical tensions and conflicts all over the world in recent months — the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine war, the tension in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and West Asia, the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
‘With this cooperation, ships and operations of their vessels and those of their friends will be protected from such risks as terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal trafficking of goods and people, illegal fishing and pollution of water bodies.’
All the world’s oceans are potential flashpoints of conflict, and it is with this backdrop that the Philippines and India recently reaffirmed their cooperation.
Malacañang said the Philippines and India agreed to work together to ensure maritime security as the world’s oceans are becoming more dangerous to commercial shipping, considering the Philippines’ high stakes in securing Filipino seafarers manning various global sea vessels.
Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Palace before the Holy Week, during which the Indian official noted the important contribution of Filipino seafarers manning the world’s merchant ships, whether tankers, cruise ships, or other vessels.
And because of the security concerns in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and in the Indian Ocean, other nations should forge stronger collaboration, President Marcos said.
The President noted the Indian Navy recently rescued Filipino seafarers in the Gulf of Aden. The President extended the country’s appreciation for the Indian Navy’s rescue and assistance to the Filipino crew members of the MV True Confidence that was attacked off the coast of Yemen earlier this month. The 13 Filipino seamen were safely returned home, and this is in large part due to the Indian Navy’s swift response to their distress call.
While India and the Philippines are non-traditional partners in terms of maritime issues, Marcos said robust cooperation in maritime matters is important because the world is now closely connected. Agreeing with the President, the Indian official said the two countries should start looking for where they can do more to work together, hoping to find new areas of cooperation.
It is interesting to learn that India and the Philippines are doing their share in global maritime security to ensure freedom of the seas, facilitate freedom of navigation and commerce, advance prosperity and protect the resources of the ocean. With this cooperation, ships and operations of their vessels and those of their friends will be protected from such risks as terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal trafficking of goods and people, illegal fishing and pollution of water bodies.
We are confident that high-level meetings between the officials of both countries in the future will further strengthen maritime cooperation and security in the face of potential common political opponents.
