Strategic Currents in the Indo-Pacific: Philippines President Marcos Jr. Visits India
- MGMMTeam
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
As the Indo-Pacific region becomes a central theatre in the 21st-century geopolitical landscape, India and the Philippines are stepping up their bilateral relationship. The five-day state visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India, beginning August 4, 2025, is a significant moment in this evolving partnership. The visit underscores a shared vision between the two democratic maritime nations, rooted in strategic cooperation, defence modernisation, and mutual economic growth.
The visit also commemorates 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines—a relationship now transitioning from symbolic warmth to practical depth, with clear implications for regional balance in the face of China’s growing assertiveness.
A Landmark Visit for Strategic and Defence Ties
President Marcos Jr.'s trip, accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-powered delegation of ministers, diplomats, and business leaders, focuses on a multi-dimensional dialogue with Indian leadership. High on the agenda is expanding defence and maritime collaboration. Over the past few years, the Philippines has emerged as one of India’s closest strategic partners in Southeast Asia, particularly after becoming the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system.
The two nations are now exploring the next phase of defence cooperation. Manila has expressed strong interest in procuring additional BrahMos batteries after successful deliveries in 2024 and 2025. The systems have already been deployed by the Philippine Marine Corps, and Indian training teams have supported their integration. Discussions are also underway for future acquisitions, including surface-to-air missile systems like the Akash, which would further deepen defence interoperability.
Joint Naval Drills Amid Rising South China Sea Tensions
Just ahead of the presidential visit, India and the Philippines conducted their first bilateral naval patrols in the South China Sea—known as the West Philippine Sea in Manila. Indian naval vessels INS Delhi, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti participated alongside Philippine Navy ships BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Miguel Malvar. This historic maritime drill was held within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone and drew immediate attention from regional observers.
While the patrol proceeded without confrontation, Philippine military officials confirmed that Chinese vessels shadowed their ships, underscoring the volatility of the contested maritime region. The joint patrol signals India’s growing presence in Southeast Asia and its commitment to freedom of navigation and regional stability, aligning with its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
For the Philippines, increasingly under pressure from China over territorial disputes, India’s presence in joint operations sends a strong message of solidarity and shared interest. The timing of the naval drills just before President Marcos’s arrival in New Delhi adds both symbolism and substance to the visit.
Political Engagement and a Shared Vision
President Marcos Jr. is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Health Minister J.P. Nadda. He will also pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and engage with the Indian business community. The visit is expected to result in a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, agriculture, digital cooperation, and cultural exchange.
This high-level engagement reflects a growing consensus between New Delhi and Manila: that regional peace, security, and economic growth depend on a coalition of democratic, like-minded partners. Both nations are actively contributing to a rules-based Indo-Pacific order while resisting expansionist tendencies from Beijing.
Trade, Tourism, and Economic Partnership
Beyond strategic alignment, the visit also aims to energise bilateral trade and tourism. Trade between India and the Philippines has already surpassed $3 billion and is on a sharp upward trajectory. The two countries are in the early stages of negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement, which would lower tariffs and increase the flow of goods and services.
Tourism is another area of mutual interest. With Manila recently granting Indian citizens visa-free entry for up to 14 days, travel platforms reported a surge in Indian interest in Philippine destinations. There are also efforts underway to establish direct flights between major Indian and Philippine cities, further bridging cultural and economic ties.
A Symbol of Asia’s Emerging Alliances
President Marcos Jr.’s visit to India marks a pivotal moment in Asia’s shifting balance of power. The strategic alignment between New Delhi and Manila is not just a bilateral milestone—it is a chapter in the larger story of the Indo-Pacific, where mid-sized democracies are increasingly collaborating to preserve sovereignty, economic openness, and maritime law.
India, through initiatives like its Act East policy, and the Philippines, with its bold defence posturing under Marcos Jr., are showing that regional peace is best upheld by cooperation among like-minded nations. As both countries look to a future of enhanced security and prosperity, their partnership stands as a model for regional diplomacy in an increasingly complex world.
(Sources: Moneycontrol, Economic Times, AP News)
Comments