Narendra Modi, Marcos unveil strategic push in Indo-Pacific theatre

India and the Philippines signed nine agreements to deepen strategic ties, defence and maritime cooperation, and plan a bilateral preferential trade pact to boost economic ties

India and the Philippines on Tuesday signed nine agreements, including a declaration establishing a strategic partnership, as well as terms of reference for talks between their respective armed forces and cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space.  The strategic partnership was announced following talks in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. The meeting came just a day after the Indian and Philippine navies wrapped up two days of joint exercises near the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea -- a region that remains a flashpoint in the long-running maritime dispute between Beijing and Manila.

 

 

“India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny,” Modi said, standing alongside Marcos Jr. “From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past; it is a promise to the future.” 

He added that maritime cooperation between the two nations was “both natural and essential” for countries with strong seafaring traditions.

 

Later, at a media briefing, P Kumaran, secretary (east) in the Ministry of External Affairs, reiterated India’s long-held position on the South China Sea, describing it as “clear and consistent”, and emphasising New Delhi’s “abiding interest” in peace and stability in the region, which it views as part of the global commons. He also confirmed discussions are under way on developing submarine infrastructure in the Philippines. 

 

Modi said bilateral trade has been growing steadily and had recently crossed $3 billion. “To further strengthen trade ties, it is our priority to review the India-Asean free-trade agreement at the earliest,” he said. “We have also decided to work towards a bilateral preferential trade agreement.”

 

India has also extended a one-year, gratis e-tourist visa facility to Filipino nationals.

 

Marcos said the two countries had “agreed to continue levelling up our collaboration in defence and security,” and pointed to India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities as a potential contributor to the Philippines’ military modernisation. “We will foster naval and coast guard interoperability via port calls, cooperative activities and capacity building in the maritime domain,” he said.

 

India and the Philippines share strategic concerns over Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Manila continues to face off with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jr has previously said Manila is considering further weapons procurements from India. The Philippines has already acquired a shore-based anti-ship missile system from BrahMos Aerospace in an 18.9 billion peso ($329 million) deal aimed at strengthening its coastal defences.

 

Modi said the strategic partnership would pave the way for deeper engagement between their respective armed forces. He described the Philippines as an “important partner” in India’s Act East Policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.

 

“We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,” the PM said.

 

Under India’s development partnership initiative, Modi said New Delhi would expand the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines and collaborate on developing sovereign data cloud infrastructure. “Today, while the President is in India, three ships of the Indian Navy are participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time,” he added.

 

The PM also highlighted the role of Indian companies operating in the Philippines across sectors including digital technology, health, automotive, infrastructure, and minerals.