Japan and the Philippines: Towards a Stronger Strategic Partnership
The Philippines became the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state to sign a defence pact with Japan.
- Sriram Vellore
- December 06, 2023
The Philippines became the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member state to sign a defence pact with Japan.
The intensification of China’s hard-line territorial claims in the East and South China Seas, matched by its unilateral actions, are threatening regional peace and stability.
A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines would be fruitful in not only strengthening the bilateral relations between the two, but also in adding heft to the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.
The BrahMos deal with the Philippines marks a convergence between India’s Act East and Defence Export policies and adds to its profile as a reliable defence partner in the Indo-Pacific.
This article examines how regime types shape security sector reforms, that are integral to the peace processes in Thailand’s Patani and the Philippines’ Mindanao.
As the need for a modern and capable naval force grows ever more urgent, it remains to be seen if the Philippine Navy’s latest modernisation plans will become a reality or be still-born as was the case with earlier efforts.
While using unexceptionable language, India has actually not supported the Chinese position in the South China Sea and has called upon China to adhere to the limits laid down in the UNCLOS.
Whether the ruling would induce China to adopt a fresh look at the dispute or it would only further complicate the domestic and regional political situations will depend on the domestic, regional and international responses in the coming days and weeks.
India should ensure that the deal does not slip away because of GRSE’s perceived financial inability, which may not actually be the case.
The cyber-attack on the election commission of The Philippines demonstrates the need for democracies to have a strong cyber security mechanism in place for the smooth conduct of elections.