PH, India mark 75th year of relations amid ‘geopolitical issues’ in Indo-Pacific
President Marcos on Tuesday vowed to elevate the country’s 75-year bilateral relationship with India amid geopolitical developments in Indo-Pacific.
The Chief Executive made the remarks during the courtesy call of Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in Malacañang.
“The interactions between India and the Philippines have certainly increased in the past few years. And certainly, we would like to continue that closeness,” Mr. Marcos told the Indian official.
The President said that the plan to elevate the bilateral relations between the two countries was “very interesting in terms of geopolitical issues.”
“We used to speak of Pacific or Asia Pacific. It’s now Indo-Pacific. And that’s why I think that the alliances and the partnerships that we make become more and more important,” Mr. Marcos said.
The Philippines and India marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in November last year. The two nations established formal diplomatic relations on November 16, 1949.
During his courtesy call on Mr. Marcos, Margherita said he was conveying the respect of India and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Philippines and the President.
“On behalf of the entire people of India, I am here to convey our deep regards to the great nation of the Philippines and to you. It is a milestone that we marked our 75th year of diplomatic relations of our great nations,” the Indian official said.
In 2023, the Philippines’ total trade with India hit US$3.08 billion, with exports worth $1.1 billion and imports at $1.98 billion. India is the Philippines’ 15th top trading partner.
The two nations have signed 53 agreements in trade, investment, science and technology, maritime issues, air services, taxation, culture, energy, agriculture, and defense.
