New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): India and the Philippines signed and exchanged 14 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across a range of strategic, economic, and cultural sectors. The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., marking a major milestone during President Marcos’ first state visit to India.
The agreements encompass diverse areas including defence, maritime security, digital technologies, tourism, legal assistance, science and technology, and space exploration. Notably, both sides adopted the Terms of Reference for the start of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), reflecting growing economic convergence between the two nations.
External Affairs Secretary (East) P. Kumaran briefed the media, stating, “Several MoUs were concluded and exchanged during this visit, 14 in total. These include mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons, terms of reference for India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement, staff talks across Army, Air Force, and Navy, and enhanced cooperation between coast guards.”
One of the highlights of the visit was the conclusion of the first India-Philippines joint maritime patrol in the South China Sea—a region marked by overlapping territorial claims—featuring Indian Navy vessels INS Delhi, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti.
Other agreements focused on digital technologies to foster collaboration in IT and innovation, and a Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology (2025–2028) to drive joint research and innovation. An Implementation Program for Tourism Cooperation (2025–2028) was also signed to promote bilateral tourism. India announced a gratis e-Tourist Visa facility for Filipino nationals for one year starting August 2025. A Cultural Exchange Programme was agreed upon to deepen people-to-people ties. The Indian Space Research Organisation and the Philippine Space Agency signed a Statement of Intent on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. India also agreed to support a pilot project for setting up the Philippines’ Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure. An invitation was extended to the Philippines to join the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
During a joint press conference, President Marcos lauded the strategic partnership and India’s role as a valued regional ally. “Today, India becomes only the fifth strategic partner for the Philippines. This attests to the remarkably rapid growth of our 75-year-old relationship and our shared perspectives on global and regional challenges,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi echoed the sentiment, stating, “India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny.” Emphasizing historical and cultural bonds, he noted, “Our diplomatic relations might be new, but the connection between our cultures is ancient. The Philippines’ Ramayana, Maharadia Lawana, is living proof of our centuries-old cultural ties.”
Both leaders released a commemorative stamp themed on the national flowers—India’s lotus and the Philippines’ sampaguita—to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The leaders also adopted a Plan of Action for 2025–2029, which will serve as a strategic blueprint guiding cooperation under the elevated India-Philippines Strategic Partnership. This framework prioritizes collaboration in political dialogue, defence and maritime security, trade, investment, health and pharmaceuticals, science and technology, space, digital economy, fintech, culture, tourism, and regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
The elevated partnership underscores both nations’ commitment to enhancing regional stability, connectivity, and shared prosperity across the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
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