President of the Philippines Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Undertakes 5-Day State Visit to India and Strategic Partnership Announced.

The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Romualdez (R.) Marcos Jr.,completed a 5-day State Visit to India from August 04, 2025, to August 08, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. The visit marked the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines, featuring the release of special commemorative stamps and the signing of major agreements.

      - The commemorative stamps released by PM Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. were themed on the national flowers of both nations — the Lotus for India and the Sampaguita for the Philippines. These stamps symbolised the shared cultural heritage and enduring friendship between the two countries.

      - A major highlight of the visit was the joint announcement of the “Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership” between the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of the Philippines. This declaration marked a significant advancement in bilateral relations, building on decades of cooperation in trade, defence, and technology.

      - The newly established Strategic Partnership will be guided by the Comprehensive Plan of Action (2025–2029), which was officially adopted by both nations on August 05, 2025. This plan focuses on enhancing collaboration in defence, maritime security, infrastructure development, and emerging technologies.

Main Point :-   (i) Defence cooperation was a key focus area during the visit. Out of 14 agreements signed, 3 were Terms of Reference (ToRs) between the Armies, Navies, and Air Forces of both nations. Additionally, a ToR was signed to improve maritime cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), reinforcing security in the Indo-Pacific region.

      (ii) In total, both sides signed 18 agreements, including Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Letters of Intent (LoIs), covering sectors such as Information Technology (IT), Telecommunication, Waste-to-Energy Generation, Healthcare, Business Management, and Digital Infrastructure. These agreements were formalised during the Philippines–India Business Forum held recently in Bengaluru, Karnataka, in the presence of President Marcos.

(iii) This historic State Visit underscored India’s growing strategic and economic ties with Southeast Asia, aligning with New Delhi’s Act East Policy, and reaffirming both nations’ commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
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