Manila Summit: India, Philippines Vow Deeper Anti-Terror Cooperation

In a strong display of bilateral resolve, India and the Philippines wrapped up their second counter-terrorism Joint Working Group meeting in Manila on Thursday. The two-day conclave delved into the evolving dynamics of terrorism on both regional and international fronts. Leading the Indian side was Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism in the MEA, alongside Marshal Luis M. Alferes from the Philippines' foreign office. Topics ranged from enhanced law enforcement ties and judicial mutual aid to building operational capacities. A joint communique from India's MEA denounced every manifestation of terrorism, with specific mention of cross-border variants. It spotlighted the devastating Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, and the Red Fort vicinity assault in New Delhi on November 10, 2025. Philippine authorities reiterated unwavering support for India's anti-terror efforts. The talks underscored the urgency of sharing timely intelligence and jointly tackling tech-driven terror financing and activities. Preventing the spread of radicalization and violent extremism emerged as a priority, with actionable collaboration proposed. The nations pledged to amplify efforts on multilateral forums including the UN, FATF, APG, and ARF for a comprehensive anti-terror framework. The Indian team held productive meetings with top brass from the National Security Council and Anti-Money Laundering Council. Consensus was reached to hold the subsequent JWG session in India, fortifying this vital alliance.