PM Narendra Modi’s Manila visit in November to be big on historical, cultural ties
, ET Bureau|
Oct 18, 2017, 12.10 AM IST
NEW DELHI: India and the Philippines are attempting to revive their historical and cultural links as PM Narendra Modi heads to Manila next month for ASEAN and East Asia Summits amid India gaining grounds in Southeast Asia.
While Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand’s historical links are documented, it’s a little known fact that 400 Sanskrit words are still being used in Filipino language, and Ramanaya-based plays are performed regularly in this Southeast Asian nation that is strategically placed between the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Buddhism has travelled to the Philippines from India and Philippine citizens of Buddhist faith are travelling to India in recent days, according to a senior official tracking the developments. A popular local dance form in Philippines is also inherited from India, so are certain food items and artefacts. Philippines, like other SE Asian country, has a rich heritage of artefacts.
A country where Catholics are in majority, the Philippines is keen to preserve this culture which travelled centuries back to the SE Asian country from India via Indonesia, said the official quoted above. Modi’s Manila visit between November 12 and 14 is expected to boost historical linkages. The visit is also expected to strengthen Indo-Philippine counter-terror partnership with Delhi recently extending assistance to Marawi (Southern Philippines) terror siege.
People-to-people contacts are on the rise as Philippines is beginning to emerge as a destination for Indian students. There are more than 4000 Indian students pursuing medical courses in various universities in the Philippines. Currently, nearly half the students at the Asian Institute of Management in Manila are from India.
The flying schools are also attractive as instructions are in English, according to officials here. Several universities in the Philippines have opened special ‘India chapters’ in their libraries.
While Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand’s historical links are documented, it’s a little known fact that 400 Sanskrit words are still being used in Filipino language, and Ramanaya-based plays are performed regularly in this Southeast Asian nation that is strategically placed between the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Buddhism has travelled to the Philippines from India and Philippine citizens of Buddhist faith are travelling to India in recent days, according to a senior official tracking the developments. A popular local dance form in Philippines is also inherited from India, so are certain food items and artefacts. Philippines, like other SE Asian country, has a rich heritage of artefacts.
A country where Catholics are in majority, the Philippines is keen to preserve this culture which travelled centuries back to the SE Asian country from India via Indonesia, said the official quoted above. Modi’s Manila visit between November 12 and 14 is expected to boost historical linkages. The visit is also expected to strengthen Indo-Philippine counter-terror partnership with Delhi recently extending assistance to Marawi (Southern Philippines) terror siege.
People-to-people contacts are on the rise as Philippines is beginning to emerge as a destination for Indian students. There are more than 4000 Indian students pursuing medical courses in various universities in the Philippines. Currently, nearly half the students at the Asian Institute of Management in Manila are from India.
The flying schools are also attractive as instructions are in English, according to officials here. Several universities in the Philippines have opened special ‘India chapters’ in their libraries.
