India, Philippines announce strategic partnership
Marcos is paying a five-day state visit to India. This is the first time in 18 years that a Philippine president has visited India as a state guest.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said at a press conference that the two countries agreed to continue leveling up their collaboration in defense and security. He also said his country expressed satisfaction over the rapid pace of the Philippines ongoing defense modernization.
Modi said the two countries have decided to take their relations to the level of a strategic partnership. He added that a comprehensive action plan is being formulated to turn the partnership's potential into results.
The talks come amid China's stepped-up maritime expansion in the South China Sea, where Manila is locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing.
Against this backdrop, India and the Philippines held their first-ever joint naval exercises in the disputed waters on Sunday and Monday. The Philippine military says the two-day maneuvers featured a comprehensive series of high-level operations aimed at strengthening tactical coordination and joint maritime capability.
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