New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): In a major boost to regional connectivity and bilateral ties, direct flights between Delhi and Manila are set to begin operations on October 1, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday.
The announcement was made during a special press briefing coinciding with the ongoing state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to India. The MEA noted that both countries are actively exploring options to expand air links to additional destinations in the near future, with the aim of strengthening tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties.
“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 said.
Earlier in the day, during a joint press statement, President Marcos announced visa-free entry privileges for Indian tourists visiting the Philippines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reciprocated by unveiling a similar gesture for Filipino travelers visiting India.
“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 traveling to India,” President Marcos said. “We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and have renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity.”
Prime Minister Modi praised the Philippines’ decision and confirmed India’s move to offer free e-visas for Filipino tourists. “We welcome the Philippines’ decision to allow visa-free entry to Indian tourists. India has also decided to allow free e-visas for the Philippines’ tourists. This year, work will be done regarding direct flights between India and Manila,” he said.
President Marcos is on a five-day state visit to India from August 4 to August 8, marking a new era of closer cooperation between the two nations. He is scheduled to meet with Indian President Droupadi Murmu later in the day. (ANI)
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