Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and Indian Ambassador Kumaran (Photo by OVP MPRD)

MANDALUYONG CITY, 21 September 2022 – Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran called on Vice President Sara Z. Duterte at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Central Office in Mandaluyong City. In his remarks, the Ambassador congratulated the Vice President on her election. He wished the Vice President well and conveyed his continuing support.

Ambassador Kumaran expressed his appreciation for the cooperation between the Philippines and India in the areas of trade, investment, and tourism.The Ambassador described the relationship between the two countries as people-centered and broad-based. He further added that trade relations with the Philippines appears promising with many Indian companies investing in pharmaceutical, transport, and textile industries, among others.

The Ambassador shared that Davao is home to many Indianstudents. He conveyed his gratitude for the intervention for the students and highlighted the hospitality and warmth of the Filipinos.

Vice President Duterte meets with the Indian delegation led by Ambassador Kumaran (Photo by OVP MPRD)

Ambassador Kumaran talked about innovation in India such as EdTech, an online system of quality education to supplement traditional education. Vice President Duterte related technology to the main pillars laid out in the Philippines’ Basic Education Development Plan. She emphasized that technology and innovation are necessary to address the gap in access and quality. She added that technology may be leveraged in order to supplement in person classes with blended learning and address the problem of teacher quality.