President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he aims to use his visit to India to further strengthen Philippine-Indian relations and ensure that existing ties remain resilient, open, and beneficial to both countries.
Marcos departed for India on Friday, September 11, primarily to represent the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which the Philippines chairs this year, at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
In his departure statement, Marcos said his trip has two major objectives, including advancing the Philippines’ bilateral engagement with India.
“I return to India to further drive forward and provide practical substance to our engagement,” the President said.
Marcos said he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the progress of their countries’ Strategic Partnership and continue discussions on broader economic and strategic concerns.
“With Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, we will track progress in the key areas of our Strategic Partnership, and pick up on our governments’ sustained exchange of perspectives on broader economic and strategic questions confronting our shared interests,” he added.
The two leaders are also expected to assess the implementation of the 2025-2029 Five-Year Plan of Action, which provides the framework for the bilateral strategic partnership.
Areas covered by the plan include defense and maritime security, trade and investments, the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement, health and pharmaceuticals, digital initiatives, tourism, direct air connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.
Marcos described the relationship between the Philippines and India as long-standing and broad-based, noting that connections between the two peoples date back centuries.
“Our exchanges of visits with India hearken back to an older age when our peoples and civilizations connected via early ideas, language, culture, and commerce,” he reiterated.
He said these historical ties have evolved into modern economic and diplomatic connections.
“These links live on in our modern era through our diplomacy, trade and business linkages, tourism connections, and the hallmarks of 21st century society: digital networks, supply chains, investment flows, financial systems, and technological ecosystems that connect our economies,” Marcos explained.
The President also underscored the importance of maintaining secure and reliable connections between the two countries and the wider region.
“Our task is to see to it that these modern connections remain open, resilient, and capable of delivering prosperity to our people. Where the sea’s currents and trade winds of yore were sufficient to link geographies, we must now ensure that the sea lanes are just as free, open, and governed by law, rules, and responsible behavior,” the President said.
Marcos is also expected to reiterate his invitation to Modi to visit Manila in November for the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit.
His participation in the BRICS gathering will likewise highlight India’s support for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship and its priorities for the bloc.
Beyond government-to-government engagements, Marcos will meet with Indian business leaders to promote the Philippines as a potential destination for investments and expansion.
“They will have plenty of opportunities to consider in infrastructure, digitalization, IT, pharmaceuticals, transport and logistics, and other sectors critical to our development,” Marcos said.
Marcos said the trip is intended to turn potential areas of cooperation into concrete outcomes.
“We thus embark for India determined to continue the task of translating potential to action, and action into gains—gains for greater economic security for the Filipino people, for ASEAN and its external partnerships, and for fostering broader practical cooperation among players, even of differing persuasions, to support peace, security, and shared prosperity,” he added.
As ASEAN chair, Marcos said he will advocate for more balanced global governance, enhanced disaster preparedness, responsible use of emerging technologies, stronger climate action, and peaceful settlements of disputes consistent with international law.
During the BRICS Open Session on September 13, where the Philippines has been invited in its capacity as ASEAN Chair and an Outreach Country, Marcos said he will promote stronger cooperation between ASEAN and its partners through established mechanisms.
“I will offer views on how partners can and should work in concert, if not together, to address these challenges, especially those that impact developing countries and emerging economies,” the President said.
He added:
“We will bring lessons from ASEAN’s track record and long-standing commitment to open and inclusive dialogue, while preserving strategic autonomy.”
Marcos said countries must work toward common ground on issues affecting the international community.
The India trip follows his state visit to the country last year.