Philippine President initiates a five-day trip to New Delhi following India's delivery of the Brahmos missile system
Philippine President Marcos' State Visit to India Strengthens Defense and Trade Ties
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr is currently in India for a state visit from Monday to Friday, marking his first official visit to the country since taking office in 2022. This visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines, providing an opportunity to deepen strategic partnership within the framework of India's Act East Policy and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos, Cabinet Ministers, senior officials, and business leaders, President Marcos is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5. The main purpose of the visit is to strengthen defense and trade relations.
In their discussions, President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi agreed on 13 agreements related to defense, science and technology, and tourism, and a total of 18 business agreements were secured covering a broad range of sectors beyond defense and trade. Key expected outcomes include the signing of multiple agreements across sectors such as defense, science and technology, tourism, renewable energy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, IT, digital services, and manufacturing. Both countries also agreed to work towards establishing a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement.
India’s GMR Group expressed interest in investing in the Philippines' Build Better More infrastructure program, especially in airport and energy projects like the Sangley Airport project in Cavite. The visit also aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and tourism.
The Philippines has already procured India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, and the first consignment of these missiles was delivered to the Philippines on April 19, 2024. The visit is expected to result in deeper strategic and defence cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain, with an anticipated agreement to enhance defence collaboration, focusing on maritime security.
The relationship between India and the Philippines is based not only on strategic interests but also on deep historical and cultural ties. Archaeological findings like the Laguna Copperplate inscription and the Agusan Tara statue testify to centuries-old connections between the two countries. The Tagalog language contains numerous words of Sanskrit origin.
Diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines were formally established in November 1949. The launch of India's Look East Policy in 1992 and its subsequent transformation into the Act East Policy have contributed to a substantial growth in bilateral relations, particularly through ASEAN cooperation. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has highlighted the Philippines as a key partner in India's Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and Indo-Pacific strategy.
In conclusion, President Marcos' state visit to India focuses on strengthening defense cooperation through new agreements, expanding trade and investment with multiple sectoral agreements, moving toward a Preferential Trade Agreement, advancing infrastructure investment, particularly in airports and energy, enhancing bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and tourism, and supporting broader regional and strategic ties aligned with the Indo-Pacific vision. These outcomes aim to deepen India-Philippines partnership in defense and trade while promoting economic and strategic collaboration in the region.
President Marcos and PM Modi have previously met briefly on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit in Lao PDR in October 2024, and earlier in Jakarta during the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in 2023. During this visit, President Marcos will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and will be called on by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, with their meeting scheduled for Monday in New Delhi.
- The state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to India is not only about defense and trade relations, but it also provides an opportunity to explore broader general-news topics such as science, technology, and tourism, with both countries aiming to establish bilateral agreements in these areas.
- As India and the Philippines strengthen their defense and trade ties during President Marcos' state visit, the results of their discussions may lead to the creation of a Preferential Trade Agreement, a move that could significantly impact the general-news landscape of both nations and the region, particularly within the context of the Indo-Pacific.
