Philippine President Marcos Jr. Granted Formal Welcome Ceremony in India
Philippines President Marcos Jr's State Visit to India Strengthens Bilateral Ties
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines embarked on a five-day state visit to India from August 4-8, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic ties.
The visit, the first by Marcos since his assumption of office, began with a warm welcome in New Delhi. President Marcos Jr. was greeted upon arrival at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A Guard of Honour was provided for President Marcos Jr. during the ceremony.
During his stay in India, President Marcos Jr. participated in high-level meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, President Murmu, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The discussions focused on regional and international issues of mutual interest, aligned with India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and Indo-Pacific strategy.
A key highlight of the visit was the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi on August 5, 2025, where the two leaders elevated India-Philippines relations to a strategic partnership and signed 13 agreements covering defense, science and technology, and tourism. The agreements aim to deepen cooperation in these critical areas to enhance mutual security and economic development.
Apart from Modi, President Marcos also met with other Indian dignitaries, including External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, for further discussions. The visit included a delegation of Cabinet Ministers and business representatives, with the final leg being a visit to Bengaluru, the "Silicon Valley of India." Here, President Marcos engaged in discussions focused on technology and innovation partnerships, reflecting a commitment to boost trade and investment.
Areas of cooperation emphasized during the visit included expanding partnerships in trade and investment, defense and security, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and digital technologies. These sectors have already been strong pillars in bilateral relations and were reinforced during the visit.
President Marcos Jr. described the visit as “one of the most productive and constructive” and set a roadmap for enhanced cooperation in the decades ahead, further embedding the Philippines-India relationship within regional frameworks like ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific.
The visit also marked the commencement of the first joint naval exercise between India and the Philippines, reportedly taking place in the South China Sea. The details of the exercise are not disclosed.
In summary, President Marcos’s State Visit involved comprehensive high-level dialogues and agreements that significantly strengthened strategic, economic, defense, and technological ties between the Philippines and India. This visit underscores the importance of the bilateral partnership in the evolving regional and international landscape.
- In the scope of regional and international discussions, President Marcos Jr. and Indian leaders discussed potential collaborations in education to further strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation.
- During the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi, politics was also touched upon, with both leaders agreeing to focus on general news and shared global concerns in upcoming joint efforts.
