Indian PM Modi welcomed with fervour in Male, as India-Maldives mark 60 years of ties
With chants of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai, members of the Indian diaspora greeted the PM. There was also a cultural performance hosted by the diaspora in his honour.
PM Modi witnessed the cultural performance alongside President Mohamed Muizzu.
He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, who expressed great enthusiasm upon meeting PM Modi.
The Maldivian capital, Male, wore a festive look on Friday, adorned with large posters, colourful banners, and fluttering Indian flags, as the island nation geared up to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his two-day state visit.
PM Modi has been invited by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and will attend the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
The Office of the President of Maldives in a post on X, upon PM's arrival said, "The Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Shri @narendramodi arrives in the Maldives on a state visit, at the invitation of His Excellency President Dr @MMuizzu. This historic visit is Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the Maldives since assuming his third term, and coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Maldives' independence as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India."
During his stay, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with President Mohamed Muizzu to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
The visit also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives. India has played a key role in supporting the Maldives through development aid, infrastructure projects, and emergency assistance in recent years.
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Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Philippines, India launch commemorative stamps on 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr jointly launched commemorative postal stamps to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said that the commemorative stamps reflect the strong bond of friendship between the two nations. In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Celebrating 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India & Philippines. PM Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr jointly unveiled the commemorative Postal Stamps, themed on National Flowers of India & Philippines, i.e the Lotus & the Sampaguita respectively; reflecting the close cultural connections and long-lasting friendship between India & the Philippines." As part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) international outreach programme 'Know BJP', Union Health Minister and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda also met President Marcos Jr in New Delhi. In a post on X, Nadda stated, "Met with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., in New Delhi today as part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. During our discussion, I briefed him on how the world's largest political party functions, including its ideology, organisational structure and outreach. We exchanged valuable insights to strengthen party-to-party ties. We also had a detailed discussion on how to enhance cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to continued cooperation and mutual progress." The meeting took place on the sidelines of Marcos Jr's five-day state visit to India. Speaking at a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Marcos Jr described the trip as one of the most "productive and constructive" visits he has undertaken and attributed its success to the enduring closeness between the two countries. "It has been one of my most productive and constructive visits that I have ever had, and I attribute this to the enduring closeness between the Philippines and India," he said.
Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Times of Oman
PM Modi announces free e-visas to Filipinos after President Marcos grants visa-free entry to Indians
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will be offering free e-visas to Filipino tourists, in a reciprocal move following the Philippines' decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian nationals. The announcement came during a Joint Press Statement by PM Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, who is currently on a five-day state visit to the country. During the event, both leaders agreed to enhance people-to-people ties and connectivity further. "We welcome the decision of the Philippines to grant visa-free entry to Indian tourists. India, in turn, has decided to extend the facility of free e-visas to tourists from the Philippines. Efforts will also be made to launch direct flights between Delhi and Manila within this year," PM Modi said. President Marcos echoed the sentiment, highlighting the Philippines' recent visa-free policy for Indian citizens and thanking India for the reciprocal gesture. "I reiterated our introduction of visa-free entry privileges and extended our invitation for more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines. I thank Prime Minister Modi in turn for the introduction of a scheme to grant visas free of charge to Filipino tourists travelling to India. We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and have renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity," he stated. The Ministry of External Affairs later announced direct flights from Delhi to Manila, expected to commence operations from October 1 this year, in a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity between India and the Philippines. During a special press briefing on the occasion of the state visit of the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, to India, the MEA indicated that the two countries are exploring possibilities of expanding air links to additional destinations shortly to provide a strong impetus to tourism, business, and people-to-people contacts between the two countries. "Direct Air India flight connectivity from Delhi to Manila will be operational from the 1st of October to the Philippines, hopefully. Further discussions on destinations and how to expand will be further," the MEA stated. PM Modi also expressed gratitude to the Philippines for strongly condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 22 people were killed and for supporting India's efforts in the global fight against terrorism. "We welcome the Philippines' decision to join the International Fusion Centre established by India for the Indian Ocean Region. We express our sincere gratitude to the Government of the Philippines and to the President for strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for standing with us in our fight against terrorism," the Prime Minister stated. President Marcos conveyed the solidarity of the Filipino people with India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and reiterated the Philippines' firm stance against terrorism. "As emissaries of our people, I bring with me the enduring friendship of the Filipino nation. I carry the message of our solidarity with India, both over the tragic attack in Pahalgam earlier this year and in the broader fight against terrorism," President Marcos stated. This visit also marks a historic moment in India-Philippines relations, as the two countries announced the elevation of their ties to a Strategic Partnership as they celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. "India is delighted to welcome Philippines President, Mr. Bongbong Marcos at a time when we mark 75 years of bilateral relations between our nations. It is equally gladdening that we have decided to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, which ensures our cooperation becomes more robust and diverse. An Action Plan has also been drawn up in this regard," PM Modi stated in a post on X. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the growing cultural and tourism exchanges, reaffirming their commitment to regular cultural exchange programmes. "We are working to boost cultural linkages between India and Philippines. Our nations will work together in tourism, connectivity and holding regular cultural exchange programmes. President Marcos and I held wide-ranging talks on India-Philippines bilateral cooperation, regional and global issues. An important part of the discussion was to boost trade. Other areas like IT, healthcare, automobiles, minerals, space and science offer immense potential too. Growing cooperation in defence and security is also a very welcome development," the post added. The Ministry of External Affairs also stated the meeting was a "new milestone" in India-Philippines relations, stating that the two leaders had "agreed to elevate India-Philippines bilateral relations to a 'Strategic Partnership'," and noted the signing of several key agreements. These include the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT), a Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners, and Terms of Reference for Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations. "A new milestone: India and Philippines are now Strategic Partners. PM Narendra Modi and President Marcos held talks at Hyderabad House & agreed to elevate India-Philippines bilateral relations to a 'Strategic Partnership'. The leaders also witnessed exchange of the Plan of Action (2025-29) for implementation of the Strategic Partnership. Discussions focused on various aspects of ties. Several important documents, including MLAT in Criminal Matters, Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners, ToRs on negotiations of India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement, ToRs on establishment of Staff Talks between defence forces, in the area of space, tourism, culture, S&T and digital technologies, were exchanged," the MEA stated in a post on X. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed his affirmation over the India-Philippine relationship and over the Indo-Pacific cooperation. "Pleased to witness the announcement of India-Philippines Strategic Partnership by PM Narendra Modi and President Marcos. An affirmation of our deepening Indo-Pacific cooperation, as we mark 75 years of diplomatic relations," the EAM stated. Following their meeting, both leaders declared 13 wide-ranging agreements, with key pacts spanning defence, security, science and technology, tourism, digital cooperation, maritime collaboration, and cultural exchange. A detailed Plan of Action for the Strategic Partnership covering the years 2025 to 2029 was also unveiled, laying the roadmap for enhanced engagement across critical sectors, the MEA stated in a statement. Among the notable outcomes were the adoption of Terms of Reference 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. The two sides also signed a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and a Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, aimed at strengthening legal and judicial cooperation. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to bolster cooperation in digital technologies. A statement of Intent was also exchanged between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Philippine Space Agency, focused on collaboration in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
India-Philippines sign 14 MoUs increasing maritime, defence, tourism cooperation; take forward Preferential Trade Agreement talks
New Delhi: India and the Philippines signed and exchanged 14 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday, looking to increase cooperation across sectors, including sharing the terms of reference for the negotiations for the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). 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.
