<h1>India and Philippines Urged to Fast-Track Preferential Trade Deal, Focus on Nickel, Automotive, IT, and Pharma Sectors.</h1> India and the Philippines should expedite negotiations for a preferential trade agreement, according to a top Filipino diplomat. Addressing Indian business leaders, the diplomat highlighted the strategic importance of developing the Philippines' nickel sector with Indian involvement, noting that the Philippines is a major exporter of nickel ore, primarily to China and Japan. The diplomat suggested that India could diversify its nickel imports, which currently come from Russia, Norway, and Japan. He emphasized the need to finalize the trade agreement to enhance commercial relations and explore untapped export potential, particularly in sectors like automotive, IT, and pharmaceuticals.