India-Philippines sign 14 MoUs increasing maritime, defence, tourism cooperation; take forward Preferential Trade Agreement talks
The multiple MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. today boosting ties between both the nations and enhancing their trade relations. Notably, this is President Marcos' first state visit, with both countries celebrating 75 years of strong diplomatic relations.
The MoUs include cooperation in digital technologies, space, science, and tourism, and also increased cooperation between the armed forces and the coast guard, External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran said in MEA media briefing in the national capital.
There was adoption of Terms of Reference for the negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement between India and the Philippines.
Incidentally, Indian and Philippine navies wrapped up their maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, the first joint patrol of India and the Philippines in the waters contested by multiple countries, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan, among others. Three Indian naval vessels- involved three Indian naval vessels - a guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D-61), and an anti-submarine corvette INS Kiltan (P-30) and the fleet replenishment tanker INS Shakti (A-57).
The MoUs also include mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a treaty on transfer of sentenced persons, and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
'Several MoUs were concluded and exchanged during this visit, there were 14 of them, these include mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters, a treaty on transfer of sentence persons, terms of reference on negotiations for India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement, terms of reference for service staff talks, Army, Air Force, and Navy, enhanced cooperation between coast guards,' MEA secretary Kumaran said during the ministry's special briefing.
'Cooperation in space, cooperation programme, cooperation in programme of science and technology, MoU for cooperation in digital technologies, and an implementation program for tourist cooperation,' he added.
Prime Minister Modi and President Marcos also issued a commemorative stamp, themed on national flowers, Lotus for India and Sampaguita, a variety of jasmine for the Philippines.
The MEA secretary has said that both countries have adopted a plan of action for 2025-2029, to guide bilateral cooperation under the elevated strategic partnerships across sectors.
'During the visit both PM Modi and President Marcos have agreed to elevate India-Philippine Strategic Partnership aimed at further our engagement including political cooperation, defence, maritime cooperation, trade and investment cooperation, health and pharma, cooperation in science and technology, space, connectivity, digital economy, fin tech, consular matter, culture, tourism and people to people exchanges and closer cooperation in regional multilateral and international issues at mutual interest. Adopted a plan of action for the period of 2025 to 2029 to guide our cooperation under the elevated strategic partnership,' Kumaran said.
Earlier, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, addressing a joint press conference with PM Modi, hailed their strategic partnership, highlighting the agreement to cooperate on the defence and security sectors.
"Today, India becomes only the fifth strategic partner for the Philippines. This new apex attests as much to the remarkably rapid growth, broadening and deepening of our 75-year-old bilateral relationship, the possibilities represented by the strong upward trajectory of our true economies as it does to the growing alignment of our interests and views on the challenges and imperatives of our time," he said.
PM Modi too, at the press conference, emphasised the deep-rooted connection between India and the Philippines, stating that the two nations are "friends by choice and partners by destiny."
Higlighting the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, PM Modi stated that "our diplomatic relations might be new, but the connection between our cultures is very ancient. The Philippines' Ramayana - Maharadia Lawana are living proof of our centuries-old cultural ties."
Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the two countries and the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership: Plan of Action (2025-29)
MoUs included Terms of References between the Indian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force on Air Staff Talks; between the Indian Army and the Philippine Army on Army-to-Army Staff Talks and between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy on Navy-to-Navy Talks
An MoU on the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the two countries and a Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons between India and the Philippines was also signed.
Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology for the period of 2025-2028 between the Departments of Science and Technology of the two countries was signed.
Among the list of MoUs signed was one on the implementation Program for tourism cooperation for 2025-2028 between the two countries. Gratis e-tourist visa facility extended to Filipino nationals for a period of one year (from August 2025).
An Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries in the Field of Digital Technologies was also signed
A Statement of Intent between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Philippine Space Agency on cooperation on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space was signed.
There was an MoU on the Terms of Reference for Enhanced Maritime Cooperation between the Coast Guards of the two countries.
Cultural Exchange Programme between the two countries was agreed on.
India also agreed to extend support on a pilot project for setting up of the Philippines' Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India concludes trade deal negotiations with Oman
New Delhi : Negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal between India and Oman, which commenced in 2023, have been concluded. "India-Oman CEPA negotiations have been concluded," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply this week while responding to a question from Congress member Hebi Mather Hisham relating to India's trade deals. India and Oman share a longstanding history of friendship and cooperation, built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect, and strong people-to-people ties going back centuries. The two countries are strategic partners, and the bilateral trade and investment relationship between them has flourished since diplomatic relations were established in 1955, which was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2008. The minister, in his reply, however, didn't mention any date or timeline on the expected signing ceremony for the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Further, the Minister apprised the Upper House that India has strengthened its trade ties over the past five years, signing five major Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and progressing on several new deals. Congress member Jebi Mather Hisham asked the Minister to apprise the House about the number of international trade agreements that have been signed by India in the last five years, besides details of their implementation. The agreements inked over the past 5 years include the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) implemented in 2021, the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022, the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in 2024, and the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in 2025, which is yet to come into force. The India-European Union Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is expected to be implemented later this year once all parties complete their ratification processes. Meanwhile, India is in talks for several other agreements, including the India-EU FTA, India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, India-Peru FTA, India-Chile CEPA, India-New Zealand FTA, and a bilateral trade agreement with the United States
Times of Oman
7 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India becoming key pillar to the China+1 strategy for global auto OEMs: EY-Parthenon
New Delhi: India is rapidly becoming a central pillar of the China+1 strategy adopted by global auto OEMs, as companies look to diversify their supply chains and reduce dependency on China, according to a joint report by EY and Parthenon. "India is becoming a key pillar to the China+1 strategy being adopted by global auto OEMs for components. Additionally, low mfg. costs + GoI induced incentives are further boosting exports," the report said. The report highlights that this shift is driving increased business with Indian original equipment manufacturers (OEs), positioning the country as a preferred sourcing hub. Boosting this momentum are low manufacturing costs and government-backed incentives, notably the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the auto sector. With a financial outlay of USD 3 billion, the scheme offers 8-18 per cent sales-linked incentives for advanced and electric vehicle components. It has already catalysed auto component exports worth USD 61.8 billion. Together, the China+1 strategy and strong policy support are propelling India's rise as a global auto component export hub, the report pointed out. The China+1 strategy is a business strategy where companies diversify their manufacturing and supply chains by choosing another location besides China, reducing reliance on a single country. This strategy shows the desire of companies to mitigate risks associated with over-dependence on China, such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs. However, experts say that companies have to invest in research and development (R&D) to take advantage of opportunities. Amitabh Kant, Former CEO of the NITI Aayog, during an industry gathering in May, said, "You'll have to do the technology leapfrogging. You can't copy the Chinese. You have to beat the Chinese with one up. This game of China plus one by importing from China all the time will never work." Meanwhile, Chief Economic Adviser Anantha Nageswaran said that India, given its political stability, huge market opportunity, dynamic workforce, and steady rise in income levels, is eyed as one of the best places to set up manufacturing bases.
Times of Oman
7 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India welcomes understanding between US, Russia for meeting in Alaska on August 15
New Delhi: India on Saturday welcomed the understanding reached between the United States and the Russian Federation for a meeting in Alaska on August 15. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that the meeting holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace. He also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that 'This is not an era of war' "This meeting holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said on several occasions, 'This is not an era of war'," the spokesperson said. "India, therefore, endorses the upcoming Summit meeting and stands ready to support these efforts," he added. US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday, August 15, 2025, in Alaska. The meeting is expected to focus heavily on efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Trump made a post on his Truth Social account. "The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he said. Speaking earlier at the White House during the signing of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace accord, Trump also hinted at progress on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Asked how far the negotiations on the Russia-Ukraine peace efforts had progressed, Trump replied, "We are getting very close to a deal. Working with European nations, who are terrific people and leaders, is a pleasure through all fairness to President Zelensky, he is getting everything he needs, assuming we will get something done. I will be meeting very shortly with President Putin. It would have been sooner, but I guess there are security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make." "...It's very complicated. But we're going to get some [territory] back, and we're going to get some switched. There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both, but we'll be talking about that either later, or tomorrow," he added.
