India and Philippines Mark 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations with Cultural Summit in Cebu
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Synopsis
India and the Philippines celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties with the unveiling of a statue of Thiruvalluvar and the Indo-Philippine Cultural and Educational Exchange Summit in Cebu, highlighting cultural connections and shared values.
Key Takeaways
- 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic relations.
- Unveiling of Thiruvalluvar's statue.
- Cultural performances by Indian and Filipino groups.
- Involvement of dignitaries and officials.
- Ongoing cultural exchanges between the nations.
Cebu, Feb 17 (NationPress) In honor of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines, a statue of the Tamil saint and poet, Thiruvalluvar, was unveiled during the Indo-Philippine Cultural and Educational Exchange Summit held in Cebu.
Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain unveiled the statue of the esteemed Tamil saint and poet, Thiruvalluvar, at the Gullas College of Medicine (GCM) in Cebu on Saturday, coinciding with the Indo-Philippine Cultural and Educational Exchange Summit organized to celebrate this significant milestone on February 15, 2025, as noted in a post on X by the Embassy of India in the Philippines.
The event was organized by GCM under the direction of its Chief Executive Adviser, Dr. David Pillai, who commissioned the statue at the College.
The evening was enriched with cultural performances from Indian and Filipino troupes, alongside speeches from various dignitaries. Notable attendees included former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, senior officials from local and national governments, diplomats, members of the Indian diaspora, and other esteemed guests from both countries.
Previously, in November 2024, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in a celebration of 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic relations organized by the Embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi.
“I am pleased to attend the celebrations marking 75 years of India-Philippines diplomatic ties. The logo for this occasion symbolizes our unique relationship grounded in democratic values, pluralistic ethos, and mutual economic interests. Our shared goals in the Indo-Pacific region have further strengthened our ties. The friendship between India and the Philippines is truly enduring and ready to ascend to greater heights,” EAM expressed on X.
India and the Philippines have actively worked on maintaining and enhancing their cultural relations since the inception of diplomatic ties.
Similar to several other nations, the Philippines also has historical connections with India. The local Tagalog language contains numerous words derived from Sanskrit.
In Manila and various regions of the Philippines, Indian cultural events are frequently organized to commemorate India’s Republic Day, Independence Day, Indian festivals, and other significant occasions such as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Constitution Day, and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.
