A New Era in India–Philippines Relations: Strengthening Strategic Ties
- MGMMTeam
- Aug 8
- 5 min read
Introduction: A Historic Milestone in Bilateral Diplomacy
The state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to India in August 2025 marked a turning point in the 75-year-old diplomatic relationship between the two countries. It was more than just a ceremonial exchange—it represented a strong commitment to shared values, strategic cooperation, and regional stability. President Marcos' five-day visit came at a time when both India and the Philippines are recalibrating their foreign policies to meet the growing complexities of Indo-Pacific geopolitics, particularly in response to China's increasing assertiveness in the region.
With both nations navigating common challenges—territorial sovereignty, maritime security, trade diversification, and technological advancement—the stage was set for a significant evolution in their partnership. During this visit, the two countries formally elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, indicating deeper trust and shared long-term objectives.
Defence Cooperation as the Bedrock of Strategic Ties
One of the central highlights of the visit was the strengthening of defence cooperation. India and the Philippines have long acknowledged the importance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, but this visit brought that cooperation to a new level.
A key development was the formal discussion on the BrahMos missile system—a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. The Philippines had already signed a landmark deal in 2022 to purchase the system, and the current visit reaffirmed mutual commitment to deepening military-technical cooperation. Notably, the BrahMos deal is not just an arms transaction; it is a symbol of strategic confidence and interoperability between the two democracies.
Furthermore, India and the Philippines conducted their first-ever joint naval sail in the contested waters of the South China Sea just days before the visit. Warships from both sides—India's INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan, and the Philippines' BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Miguel Malvar—participated in a coordinated operation. This sent a clear message about mutual interest in upholding freedom of navigation and international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This defence cooperation is expected to continue growing, with India showing keen interest in helping the Philippines build submarine infrastructure, offering technical know-how and training. It is a strategic alignment that goes beyond conventional defence and touches upon capacity-building and regional deterrence.
Economic Engagement and the Road Toward Preferential Trade
Beyond defence, trade and economic cooperation were central to discussions between President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi. The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade, which stood at approximately USD 3.3 billion in 2024–25. While this figure has grown steadily, both sides acknowledged the vast untapped potential in sectors like digital economy, fintech, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
To accelerate economic ties, talks have commenced on establishing a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). The PTA would aim to reduce tariffs, ease market access, and encourage cross-border investments in key industries. President Marcos underlined his vision of turning the Philippines into a Southeast Asian digital hub, and India—with its booming IT and digital services industry—emerged as a natural partner.
Additionally, memorandums of understanding were signed in areas such as space exploration, tourism, cultural cooperation, and renewable energy, symbolizing the multi-dimensional nature of the new partnership.
Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific and Geopolitical Convergence
One of the most significant aspects of the India-Philippines strategic partnership is their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations emphasized the importance of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, anchored in international law and ASEAN centrality.
President Marcos expressed his support for India's Act East Policy and maritime diplomacy, while PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for the 2016 arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejected China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea—a ruling that Beijing has continuously defied. In this context, India’s visible naval presence and its support for Philippine sovereignty demonstrate a growing alignment in strategic outlook.
This geopolitical convergence also involves efforts to boost cooperation in regional forums such as the ASEAN-India Summit, East Asia Summit, and Quad-Plus frameworks, further embedding India and the Philippines into a shared regional security architecture.
Modiji’s Diplomatic Leadership and India's Rising Role in Southeast Asia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a pivotal role in this landmark moment. His leadership in elevating the India-Philippines relationship was visible not only in the substance of the agreements signed but also in the symbolism of the visit. He personally welcomed President Marcos at Rashtrapati Bhavan, participated in extensive one-on-one and delegation-level talks, and hosted a state banquet in his honor.
In his remarks, PM Modi described defence cooperation with the Philippines as “a symbol of deep mutual trust.” He emphasized India's readiness to stand by Southeast Asian nations in ensuring maritime safety and regional peace. His tone was both assertive and inclusive, emphasizing mutual development without aggressive posturing.
Modiji’s approach is consistent with India’s broader foreign policy narrative: being a responsible and assertive power that values sovereignty, promotes peaceful cooperation, and stands firm against hegemonic threats. The Philippines, under President Marcos, is seen as a key anchor in this vision, particularly given its geographical location and growing military and economic relevance.
Public Sentiment and BJP Reactions
While the strategic visit received wide coverage in both Indian and Filipino media, and was hailed by diplomats and analysts, the political leadership within India largely viewed it as a triumph of India’s “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies.
Although no specific high-profile tweets from top BJP leaders have been reported publicly in the press during the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs and India’s official diplomatic handles actively shared photographs, joint statements, and highlights of the visit. The tone across all communications emphasized warmth, mutual respect, and the historic importance of the moment.
Conclusion: Forging a Resilient Indo-Pacific Partnership
The visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India in August 2025 will be remembered as a defining chapter in India–Philippines relations. Elevating the relationship to a Strategic Partnership is not just a diplomatic upgrade; it is a signal to the region and the world that both countries are prepared to shape the future of the Indo-Pacific together.
Under the guidance of leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos, the partnership has evolved into one based on shared values, mutual trust, and strategic clarity. From defence and maritime security to trade, technology, and cultural exchange, the bilateral relationship is now a multi-layered engagement with deep roots and wide-ranging implications.
As both nations continue to face geopolitical uncertainties and the rise of non-democratic regional powers, this partnership promises not just cooperation—but resilience, autonomy, and mutual growth.
(Sources: Firstpost, India Today, News18, Times of India)
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