President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. characterized ASEAN’s historic inclusion in the BRICS Summit as a landmark achievement, representing the regional bloc in his capacity as current ASEAN chair.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi following the 18th BRICS Summit, Marcos extended his gratitude to host nation India for extending an invitation to ASEAN for the event’s Outreach Session.
“We came in as the Chair of ASEAN, which was – we are very grateful again to India for including ASEAN,” Marcos said.
Addressing the open session, the President reiterated ASEAN’s resolve to uphold an inclusive, transparent, and globally engaged posture centered on international law, regional centrality, economic collaboration, and human-centric progress.
Beyond formal sessions, Marcos underscored the diplomatic leverage gained from networking with leaders from Africa and Latin America—counterparts Philippine officials rarely meet in standard multilateral channels.
He emphasized that personal ties remain essential to smooth international negotiations.
“It’s those personal relationships that are very, very important. They play a very important role,” Marcos said.
“At the very least, at the minimum level, if I need something or I have something to talk to you about and I call you, you will answer the phone,” he added.
On the commercial front, the President engaged with several Indian business figures.
He reported that companies with an existing local footprint expressed intentions to broaden their investments, while prospective investors signaled interest in entering key domestic industries.
“But all of them are saying, well, those that are already there, they’re saying that they will expand their operations, and those that are not yet, they have plans to come into the Philippines in various sectors,” Marcos noted.