President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to travel to India from September 12 to 13 to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit and hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Wednesday.
Accompanying First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the President is making the trip upon the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
Marcos will represent the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in his official capacity as the regional block’s 2026 chair, utilizing the platform to outline ASEAN’s core pillars of peace and security, people empowerment, and prosperity.
”Ang pakikilahok na ito ay isang strategic opportunity upang subaybayan ang mga emerging economic frameworks at i-representa ang mga prayoridad at pananaw ng rehiyon, habang direktang nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga pinuno ng mga major emerging economies,” DFA Spokesperson Analyn Ratonel stated.
Ratonel emphasized that the visit offers an avenue to constructively engage major global economies on critical matters such as climate resilience, sustainable development, and flood mitigation.
However, she clarified that the President’s presence at the forum does not signal a shift toward bilateral alignment with any specific member state, including China.
”The President will participate in the summit in his capacity as the 2026 ASEAN Chair, and it is not an effort to seek any bilateral alignment with any nation,” Ratonel said.
Beyond the summit, Marcos and Modi are scheduled to review the Philippines-India Strategic Partnership, assess the progress of their five-year plan of action for 2025–2029, and evaluate shared economic priorities.
Bilateral discussions are expected to touch on trade and investment, defense, science and technology, agriculture, and climate action.
The President will also engage Indian business executives to follow up on the $5.8 billion in investment pledges secured during his August 2025 trip to India, which targeted sectors in infrastructure, technology, healthcare, and energy.