PH, India to boost trade, tourism, defense
The Philippines and India have leveled up bilateral relations by entering into a “strategic partnership,” following bilateral talks between President Marcos and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The talks at the state guest house Hyderabad focused on defense, trade and tourism, including a plan to grant visas “free of charge” to Filipino tourists coming to India.
A total of 13 bilateral agreements have been exchanged during the second day of Mr. Marcos’ five-day visit—more than the six agreements announced earlier.
The President said Manila and New Delhi’s relations have been given “a major boost, a major upgrade.”
“This means that from now on, our cooperation will intensify further and become even more impactful in many areas that we have not explored with India before such as defense, trade and investment, health, tourism, and other areas,” Mr. Marcos said earlier on Monday night in a speech before the Filipino community in New Delhi.
Ties among Asian states
India is the fifth country among the strategic partnerships with the Philippines, following Japan (June 2015), Vietnam (November 2015), Australia (September 2023) and South Korea (October 2024).
The naval forces of the Philippines and India concluded on Monday their two-day maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea.
In his speech, Modi said the Philippines is an important partner in India’s “Act East Policy” and “Mahagasar” vision, which both aim to strengthen ties with nations in Southeast Asia to promote regional stability and counter China’s growing influence in the region.
Flow of goods, tourists
Mr. Marcos also said he and Modi directed their respective economic teams “to shepherd our commerce… towards a continued upward trajectory and expanded basket of goods.”
The Philippines will expedite this by implementing a bilateral preferential trade agreement with India.
As of March 2024, India’s exports to the Philippines stood at $350 million, while imports from the Philippines were at $92.3 million.
India’s flag carrier Air India is set to roll out nonstop flights from Manila and Delhi starting Oct. 1, which the Philippine tourism sector expects will boost visitor arrivals in the country.
India is the 11th biggest tourist market of the Philippines. From January to August 2024, a total of 55,836 Indian tourists arrived in the country, up by 17 percent from the previous year.
Last state visit
Mr. Marcos’ state visit from Aug. 4 to 8 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India, established in November 1949.
Yet this marks the first state visit to India by a Philippine President after almost two decades.
The last state visit to India was made by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007.
PMA cadets in India
Meanwhile, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) sent for the first time its cadets to India for military training of up to four years.
The cadets will undergo foreign precommission training in India’s top military institutions, the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA), according to the PMA Public Affairs Office.
Cadets Jassan Renzo Mamintal and Kian Leoj Mago are now enrolled at the NDA in Pune under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program and are expected to complete their training by May 2028.
Cadets Henry Dumangas and Peter Jim Lagang have started the Bachelor of Technology-AT-25 program at the INA in Ezhimala, Kerala. Their training will run until May 2029. —WITH REPORTS FROM LUISA CABATO AND VERLEEN DASIGAN
