India, Philippines elevate ties to strategic partnership; focus on defence, Indo-Pacific

United News of India

a day ago

New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) India and the Philippines elevated their bilateral relationship to a "strategic partnership" following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.
The move marks a significant upgrade in ties as the two nations seek to deepen cooperation across defence, trade, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing the media after delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Modi said, 'Dialogue at every level and cooperation in every sector have long defined our relations. Today, we held extensive discussions on mutual cooperation, regional issues, and the global situation. I am pleased to announce that we have agreed to elevate our ties to a strategic partnership.'
Modi said a comprehensive action plan has been formulated to translate the potential of this new partnership into tangible results. 'Our bilateral trade continues to grow and has crossed USD 3 billion. To strengthen this further, we will prioritise the early completion of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement review and move towards a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement,' he said.
'The Philippines is a key partner in India's Act East Policy and SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region). We are committed to peace, security, prosperity, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international law,' he said, highlighting India's broader East Asia policy.
Highlighting the finalisation of the science and technology cooperation plan, PM Modi said, 'Indian companies are working in sectors such as information and digital technology, healthcare, automobiles, infrastructure, and minerals. In science and technology, joint research is underway — from virology to AI and additive manufacturing.'
The regional centre of the International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi is working on ultra-low glycemic index rice. 'In other words, we are working together on both taste and health. I am happy to share that, under our Development Partnership, we will increase the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines and support the development of sovereign data cloud infrastructure there,' Modi said.
'Our partnership on Earth is already strong — and now, we are preparing to collaborate in space as well. An agreement for this was signed today,' he added.
The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to peace, security, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. 'India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny. We are committed to freedom of navigation in accordance with international law,' Modi said, while also thanking the Philippine government for condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressing solidarity with India.
'Our growing defence ties are a sign of deep mutual trust. As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between our countries is both natural and necessary. We have worked together in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations. Today, while the President is in India, three Indian Navy ships are, for the first time, participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines. India's hydrography ship is also taking part,' Modi noted.
'We welcome Philippines' participation in the International Fusion Center set up by India for the Indian Ocean Region. We express our gratitude to the Government of the Philippines and the President for strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for standing with us in our fight against terrorism,' he said.
The agreements signed today on Mutual Legal Assistance and the Transfer of Sentenced Persons will further strengthen security cooperation between the two nations.
Emphasising that the Cultural Exchange Programme signed today would further promote historic cultural ties, Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the Philippines' decision to offer visa-free entry to Indian tourists. India, in turn, has decided to offer free e-visas to tourists from the Philippines. Work is also underway to start direct flights between Delhi and Manila later this year.
In his remarks, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and underscored the significance of his visit, noting that he is the fifth Philippine President to visit India.
'This is a momentous decision to elevate our ties to a strategic partnership,' he said, adding that both sides had agreed to expand defence cooperation and promote naval and coast guard interoperability in the maritime domain.
He highlighted the two countries' shared interest in ensuring safe navigation and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, and reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to a free, open, and rules-based regional order.
'We both have high stakes in the Indo-Pacific. As the incoming Chair of ASEAN, I thank Prime Minister Modi for his strong support,' President Marcos said.
"We have decided to expedite the work on bilateral trade agreement, Visa free entry to Indian tourists to visit Philippines," President said.
He also welcomed the resumption of private flights from October highlighting that safe navigation and security are important.he also underscored the fact that both the countries have "high stakes in the free and open Indo-Pacific region".
He said that as an "incoming chair of ASEAN, I thank PM for his support."
UNI AAB PRS