New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): India and the Philippines on Tuesday decided to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr agreeing to expedite the conclusion of negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to further promote mutual trade.
The two countries agreed to enhance defence cooperation, with President Marcos thanking PM Modi for cooperation in the defence industry and the export of platforms, including the BrahMos missile system.
In a veiled reference to China, both sides expressed concern over the situation in the South China Sea, particularly regarding coercive and aggressive actions that impact regional peace and stability. They called on all relevant parties to exercise self-restraint and commit to peaceful and constructive means to resolve and manage disputes.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, currently on a five-day State visit to India, arrived in the national capital on Monday.
Both countries underscored that the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea is a significant milestone and provides a legal basis for peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law.
India and the Philippines reaffirmed their full respect for and adherence to international law, particularly the rights and obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This includes dispute settlement mechanisms, defining maritime entitlements, the duty to protect the marine environment, and upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce as per international law.
In 2016, an arbitral tribunal adjudicating the Philippines’ case against China ruled overwhelmingly in favour of the Philippines.
A Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines was issued following talks between PM Modi and President Marcos.
The two leaders agreed that this Strategic Partnership marks a new chapter in realizing the full potential for bilateral, regional, and international cooperation between the two countries.
The Strategic Partnership is built on a mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral relations to ensure continuing peace, stability, and prosperity for both nations and the broader region. It also serves as a foundation for future-oriented, mutually beneficial cooperation.
The India-Philippines Strategic Partnership is guided by the Plan of Action (2025–2029), adopted on August 5, 2025.
The two sides also agreed to cooperate closely in multilateral and regional forums, including the United Nations and its specialized agencies, on global issues of mutual concern such as the rule of law in the global commons, counter-terrorism, climate change, and sustainable development.
They reiterated support for the reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories, through text-based negotiations.
Reaffirming a shared commitment to a free, open, transparent, and rules-based trading system, both countries emphasized working together through bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms to strengthen supply chains, promote trade facilitation, and ensure trade contributes to economic development.
In his opening remarks during the bilateral meeting, PM Narendra Modi said, “It is a historic day for our bilateral relations. We are taking India to the levels of a strategic partnership. This will give our relationship a new speed and depth, and give strength to our relationship in the Defence and Security Sector.”
“In the last few years, there has been progress in our relations in all sectors—trade, defence, maritime, health, security, food security, development partnership, and people-to-people ties. It is a matter of great happiness that we are setting a plan of action for the next five years. Till July 2027, the Philippines is India’s country coordinator. In 2026, you will preside over the ASEAN Chair,” he added.
The two countries exchanged MoUs in a range of areas, including cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space and the use of digital technologies.
At a special media briefing, P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), said there was a discussion on defence cooperation. “President Marcos thanked the Prime Minister for cooperation in the area of defence industry, the export of defence platforms to India, including the BrahMos. He also called for greater cooperation in the area of the defence industry.”
“As part of our broader defence cooperation, we were talking about capacity building, joint exercises, joint cooperative maritime activities, exchange of training programs between our officials, and all standard elements that we talk about when it comes to defence cooperation,” Kumaran said.
“We are talking about more opportunities for India to export our defence platforms. I think we have indeed exported a number of defence hardware platforms to many, many countries. The Philippines certainly showed interest in working with us to explore opportunities for more defence platforms.”
“We’re also talking about ship visits, cooperation as part of multilateral formats, and enhanced cooperation between our coast guards. This includes sharing best practices, enhancing maritime domain awareness on both sides, and improving disaster response readiness.”
Kumaran highlighted India’s space capabilities, stating, “We highlighted our capabilities in space and the cost-effectiveness of our space program. President Marcos said he had indeed studied how cost-effective our space program is and they wanted to try and use some of our space technology to effect social transformation—helping predict weather events, supporting agriculture, and assisting in disaster relief.”
India and the Philippines agreed on facilitating the regular convening of institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and the Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC), for dialogue on defence cooperation.
Emphasis will be placed on defence industrial collaboration, defence technology, research, training, exchanges, and capacity building.
The two countries also agreed on institutionalising military training activities and service-to-service interactions, with an increased focus on tri-service cooperation.
They recognised the vital role of seas and oceans in achieving the development needs of the two countries, asserting their rights and freedoms as coastal states, developing economies, and maritime nations of the Indo-Pacific region. (ANI)
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