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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s announcement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosts President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on a landmark state visit from August 4–8, 2025:
Setting the Stage
President Marcos Jr.’s visit—the first by a Philippine head of state to India since taking office in 2022—coincides with the 75th anniversary of India–Philippines diplomatic ties.
This week-long engagement includes meetings with PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, senior officials, and Indian business leaders, following the State Dinner and strategic discussions on August 5.
EAM Jaishankar emphasized on X that these talks “will significantly deepen our bilateral partnership”.
Key Pillars of the New Partnership
Economic & Trade Upgrades
Focused on boosting trade, investment, tourism, and infrastructure linkages.
The Philippines is gearing up to benefit from India’s technology and services sector, while India sees opportunities in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and connectivity projects.
Defence & Maritime Cooperation
The two nations plan to expand defence ties with India supplying advanced systems like BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines.
Joint naval drills in the South China Sea — part of a broader maritime security push — highlight shared concerns over regional stability.
Health, Pharmaceuticals & Food Security
The Philippines expects affordable Indian medicines and cooperation in public health capacities and food resilience programs.
Connectivity, Digital & Cultural Exchange
Exploring direct air links, digital collaboration, tourism exchange, and deeper ties through India’s “Act East” policy and the MAHASAGAR initiative.
Strategic Implications: What Jaishankar Means by “Bilateral Boom”
New Economic Highs: Trade expected to gain momentum, with new MoUs across sectors including energy, infrastructure, and digital services.
Balanced Maritime Security: India and the Philippines emerge as collaborative coastal states advocating international law under UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
Regional Security & Diplomatic Posture: Aligning more closely as strategic partners in the Indo‑Pacific, reinforcing India’s Greater South Asia and ASEAN outreach.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve taken information from the sources (like
Gulf News, MEA India,
Business Standard,
The Economic Times, etc.) transparently.]
