India and US plan development projects in the Philippines
Mint had earlier reported that this cooperation will now extend to the Pacific Islands as well. The Philippines, a key political and security ally of the US, has recently increased its defence procurement from India, including the BrahMos missile, amid strained relations with China over maritime disputes. Manila has accused China of using aggressive tactics and condemned the actions.
“Under the India-U.S. Triangular Development Partnership, our countries are partnering to address global development challenges. The U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID) and India’s Ministry of External Affairs Development Partnership Administration II (MEA-DPA-II) are leveraging their respective experiences and areas of expertise for the global good," the US Embassy spokesperson said in response to a query from Mint. "We recently partnered with Fiji to support mental health and emergency care services during disasters and in post-disaster settings, and we look forward to new initiatives in the coming months with other countries in the Indo-Pacific," the embassy added. Queries mailed to the India's external affairs ministry went unanswered at press time.
Energy project cooperation could be a potential sector for collaboration as a 2022 research report supported by USAID, America’s official international development agency, pointed out. The Philippines has received support from America on several energy projects under the “Energy Secure Philippines" program. The report, authored by Indian think-tank TERI, called for increased stakeholder consultations and recommended greater dialogue under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy India has been actively engaging in
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