Philippines to Launch Full E-Visa Service for Indian Tourists, Plans Space Cooperation with ISRO

During her recent visit to India, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, revealed plans to introduce full e-visa services for Indian nationals to boost tourism between the two nations. Lazaro, who attended the 14th Philippines-India Political Consultation and the 5th Strategic Dialogue in Delhi, shared that discussions are also underway to establish an air services agreement, enhancing connectivity with direct flights between the two countries. In an interview with WION’s Sidhant Sibal, Lazaro highlighted the strong ties between India and the Philippines, emphasising that relations are on an "upward trajectory." She expressed gratitude for India's support of the Philippines' sovereignty, particularly in light of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Lazaro welcomed India's stance in backing the 2016 arbitral ruling in favour of the Philippines and affirmed that such support strengthens diplomatic ties. On the topic of defence, Lazaro acknowledged the strategic dialogue's focus on defence cooperation, including the Philippines’ acquisition of BrahMos missiles from India. This, she stated, is a key aspect of the country's defence strategy and deterrent capabilities. She also noted that both nations are exploring further defence engagements, including the potential acquisition of helicopters and enhanced cooperation between their coast guards. Regarding the South China Sea tensions, Lazaro stressed the importance of diplomatic discussions while acknowledging the ongoing incidents between Chinese and Filipino vessels. She emphasised that the Philippines, despite these challenges, remains committed to seeking peaceful resolutions through diplomatic channels. In terms of space cooperation, Lazaro mentioned the burgeoning partnership between the Philippine Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Discussions are underway for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would focus on space-related projects, including data sharing, agricultural technology, and climate change initiatives. Looking forward, Lazaro expressed optimism about the future of India-Philippines relations, noting that the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties will bring further opportunities for collaboration, with potential high-level government visits on the horizon.

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