New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during a joint press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, announced that India has officially become the fifth strategic partner of the Philippines. He emphasized that this elevation in bilateral ties reflects the rapid growth and deepening of their relationship over the past 75 years.
“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 two economies, as it does to the growing alignment of our interests and views on the challenges and imperatives of our time,” President Marcos said.
He noted that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were far-reaching, productive, and focused on enhancing cooperation in defense and security. “We agreed to continue leveling up our collaboration in defense and security,” he added.
President Marcos expressed satisfaction with the pace of the Philippines’ ongoing defense modernization, particularly highlighting India’s role through its indigenous defense industry and the BrahMos missile project. “We express satisfaction over the rapid pace of the Philippines’ ongoing defense modernization and the expanding capabilities and footprint of India’s indigenous defense industry as a partner in this undertaking, exemplified by our BrahMos project. We concurred that this should be accompanied by intensified dialogue and exchanges between our defense establishments,” he stated.
To further strengthen military ties, the two nations have agreed to establish new mechanisms for service-to-service talks, information sharing, and training exchanges between their armed forces. “We will foster naval and coast guard interoperability via port calls, cooperative activities, and capacity building in the maritime domain,” Marcos said.
President Marcos also congratulated Prime Minister Modi for his vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. “Despite these challenges, I also bear felicitations on India’s remarkable transformation and inexorable march to become Viksit Bharat by 2047 under Prime Minister Modi’s guiding hand,” he said.
He described his visit as a landmark moment, marking the formal launch of the strategic partnership between India and the Philippines. “I come at a crucial juncture in our bilateral partnership. Today, our relationship enters a new epoch as Prime Minister Modi and I formally launched the strategic partnership between the Philippines and India. For the Philippines, this is a momentous decision, as we take a very considered path to such elevated partnerships,” he said.
Marcos also acknowledged the warm welcome extended to him, saying, “It is but fitting to begin with words of profound gratitude. Thank you, Excellency, our friend and host, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, for receiving us so graciously and hospitably on this state visit. It is my great pleasure to be in India.”
In efforts to enhance economic cooperation, the leaders have instructed their economic teams to pursue a Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement to boost trade, which currently stands at USD 3.3 billion. “The economic sphere has been a steady engine driving our ties for seven-plus decades. Prime Minister Modi and I have charged our economic teams to shepherd our commerce… towards a continued upward trajectory and expanded baskets of goods,” Marcos stated.
He added that both countries are committed to leveraging mutual opportunities to boost two-way investments. “Our fast-growing, innovative private enterprises will play an important role in our common march toward progress and development, facilitating innovation, technology transfer, and upskilling, and generating employment for our people,” he said.
President Marcos noted the significance of his visit, mentioning that he is the fifth Philippine president to visit India, following in the footsteps of his father, who made the first official visit in 1976. “This sojourn makes me the fifth Philippine president to undertake a visit to this great country and indeed in the footsteps of my very own father,” he said.
He also emphasized the historic and civilizational ties between the two nations. “For over a millennium, civilizational, cultural, and people-to-people ties have bridged our geographic distance. They will continue to be the enduring foundation of our friendship, and we will enact policies to ensure this remains so,” Marcos said.
Extending solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism, Marcos condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed. “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,” he stated.
President Marcos is visiting India from August 4 to 8, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation that includes several cabinet ministers. (ANI)
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