Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the strong bond between India and the Philippines, characterizing the two nations as “friends by choice and partners by destiny.” Addressing a joint press meeting, PM Modi highlighted the shared values uniting the two countries from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, emphasizing that their friendship is not just rooted in the past but also promises a shared future. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, PM Modi noted the ancient cultural connections, citing the Philippines’ version of the Ramayana, the Maharadia Lawana, as evidence of centuries-old cultural ties. India and the Philippines have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their mutual ties further. PM Modi described the Philippines as a key partner in India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision, emphasizing a commitment to peace, security, prosperity, and a rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific Region, supporting freedom of navigation under international laws. The Prime Minister also expressed India’s full cooperation for the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN. Following delegation-level talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., PM Modi announced the elevation of the relationship to a strategic partnership, with a detailed action plan to implement it. This plan aims to enhance bilateral trade, which has already surpassed USD 3 billion, and prioritize the completion of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement review, alongside working towards a Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement. Cooperation is set to be strengthened across sectors, including agriculture, technology, and defense. The International Rice Research Institute’s regional center in Varanasi is developing ultra-low glycemic index rice, a project blending taste and health. Development partnerships are also being enhanced, with plans to increase the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines, and cooperation in the development of sovereign data cloud infrastructure is planned. Expanding collaboration into space, an agreement was signed during President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s visit. Defense ties are strengthening, with a focus on maritime cooperation, demonstrated by the participation of Indian Navy ships in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time, including a hydrography ship. Earlier in the day, a grand welcome ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan for President Marcos Jr., hosted by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, with a Guard of Honour as part of the welcome ceremony. President Marcos Jr. noted that the Indo-Pacific is the correct evolution of Asia Pacific, reaffirming the alliance between India and the Philippines. President Marcos Jr.’s visit is his first to India since assuming office in 2022, marking a significant milestone, as his visit aligns with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
