THE Philippines and India launched their Strategic Partnership on August 5 through the signing of various bilateral agreements in areas such as defense, security, trade, science and technology, and tourism, aimed at further deepening cooperation between the two countries.
On the second day of his State Visit to India, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the signing and exchange of the following agreements and terms of reference:
*Exchange of Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of India
*Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Strategic Partnership between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of India (2025–2029)
*Terms of Reference between the Philippine Air Force and the Indian Air Force on Air Staff Talks
*Terms of Reference between the Philippine Army and the Indian Army on Army-to-Army Staff Talks
*Terms of Reference between the Philippine Navy and the Indian Navy on Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks
*Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India
*Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India
*Programme of Cooperation in the Field of Science and Technology for the Period 2025–2028 between the Department of Science and Technology of the Republic of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology of the Republic of India
*Implementation Program between the Department of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of India on Tourism Cooperation (2025–2028)
*Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the Field of Digital Technologies
*Statement of Intent between the Philippine Space Agency, Philippines, and the Indian Space Research Organisation, Republic of India, on Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
*Terms of Reference for Enhanced Maritime Cooperation between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Indian Coast Guard
*Cultural Exchange Programme between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India
Among these agreements is the establishment of mechanisms for service-to-service talks, information sharing, and training exchanges between the Philippine and Indian militaries, as well as efforts to foster naval and coast guard interoperability through port calls, cooperative activities, and capacity-building in the maritime domain.
Marcos and Modi also agreed to grant free visas to Filipino tourists visiting India and vice versa, along with the resumption of direct flights starting in October.
In his speech, Marcos said India is the fifth country to hold strategic partner status with the Philippines, signifying a shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, broadening and deepening the 75-year-old bilateral relationship between the two countries.
“I come at a crucial juncture in our bilateral partnership. Today, our relationship enters a new epoch as Prime Minister Modi and I formally launch the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and India.
For the Philippines, this is a momentous decision, as we take a very considered path to such elevated partnerships,” the President said.
“The possibilities represented by the strong upward trajectory of our two economies speak to the growing alignment of our interests and views on the challenges and imperatives of our time,” he added.
He expressed gratitude to Modi for graciously and hospitably receiving the Philippine delegation during his State Visit.
Marcos also thanked the Indian Prime Minister for the safe rescue of Filipino seafarers affected by the Houthi rebel attack in 2024.
“We recognize India’s influential role as a first responder in this critical area, and we want to work with you for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
We both have high stakes in the future of the Indo-Pacific region and the world. The Philippines-India Strategic Partnership will doubtless resonate beyond the confines of our bilateral relationship,” he said.
“Prime Minister Modi and I have committed to bringing our collaboration to bear on shared concerns: a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region; security and rule of law in the maritime commons; supply chain resilience; food security; countering terrorism; and addressing other traditional and non-traditional threats,” he added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)