Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Junior reached India today on a 5 -day state visit. The purpose of this visit is to further strengthen defense, trade and maritime cooperation between India and the Philippines. Let us tell you that this is India’s first official visit to Marcos Junior, which he has held after holding the presidency in 2022. The visit is taking place when the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries is being celebrated, which also gives it a special symbolic importance. Marcos Junior today, Foreign Minister S.K. Met with Jaishankar. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
Let us tell you that the Philippines has become the first country to buy BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India. In April 2024, the first consignment of this system has reached Manila. In the proposed bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos on August 5, more defense deals are expected to be compromised. It is being told that the Philippines has expressed a desire to buy more defense equipment from India. This will not only strengthen bilateral relationships, but will also contribute to the safety of the Indo-Pacific region. Let us tell you that according to Romeo Broner, head of the Philippines armed forces, the Philippines is influenced by the quality and affordable price of Indian weapons systems. Let us tell you that amidst China’s aggression in the South China Sea, the Philippines has started giving priority to strategic partnership with India. For India, this region is also an important part of the ‘Vision Ocean’ and the Indo-Pacific strategy.
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Let us tell you that diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. In 1992, India’s look East policy and later the Act East Policy gave a new direction to this relationship. This partnership has been further strengthened by cooperation on ASEAN forums. Recently, meetings during the ASEAN-India Summit at Lao PDR in October 2024 and in Jakarta in 2023 are evidence of this continuous dialogue. From the historical point of view, cultural relations between India and the Philippines have also been deep. Many words of Sanskrit origin are found in Tagalog language, and archaeological evidences such as Laguna Copperplate inscription and Agusan Tara Murthy certify centuries old cultural contact.
The President Marcos has also come to India along with his wife Luis Aranta Marcos, Cabinet Minister, senior officials and business representatives. This high -level delegation will investigate new possibilities in bilateral trade and investment. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the visit to the President Marcos will give a new dimension to the strategic partnership, which will pay special attention to maritime security, defense production and regional stability. After New Delhi’s programs, President Marcos will also visit Bangalore, which is considered the capital of technical and innovation of India. This is also likely to promote technical cooperation and startup innovation between the two countries.
Let us also tell you that India and the Philippines will also conduct a joint patrol campaign in the South China Sea this week, indicating that the two countries want to work together to challenge China’s Dadagiri in the maritime region. If seen, the meeting of Modi-Markos is going to be held at a time when both India and China are trying to bring their mutual relations back on track. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see how much space the South China Sea issue finds in this dialogue. Let us remind you that in 2023, India, along with the Philippines, urged China to follow the 2016 International Tribunal’s decision, which rejected China’s expansionist claims on the South China Sea.
Let us tell you that India is not only providing defense equipment, but is also proposing to give a concessional line of credit to the Philippines to meet defense requirements. There is also a plan to expand joint training and exercise on maritime security. Along with this, business relations between India and the Philippines are also getting strength. Let us tell you that in the year 2022-2023, bilateral trade crossed the figure of $ 3 billion. Both countries have agreed to start negotiations of bilateral primary trade agreement. This agreement can save both countries from America’s trade war policy, which has imposed 25% tariffs on India and 19% on the Philippines.
According to the Philippines, six agreements are likely to be signed in diverse fields such as science, law and culture during talks between the leadership of the two countries. In addition, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, India is operating six Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in areas such as agriculture, disaster management, healthcare and livelihood aid in the Philippines. These projects are being done under an agreement signed in 2023.
However, relations between India and the Philippines, which have been less comparatively less active, are now entering a new era, where interpretation of geopolitical harmony, maritime security, and defense equipment is being taken to new heights. This cooperation is not only beneficial for both these democratic countries, but is also an essential step for the stability and safety of the entire Indo-Pacific region.