New Delhi: In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties, India and the Philippines on Monday exchanged nine key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse sectors, including defence, digital technology, maritime cooperation, space, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., who is on a five-day state visit to India.
A Strategic Leap Forward
Among the MoUs signed, a landmark Strategic Partnership agreement between the two nations stands out, alongside a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, and new frameworks for cooperation in science and technology. These developments mark a major expansion in India-Philippines relations as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties this year.
Addressing the media, Prime Minister Modi described the visit as “deeply symbolic and historically meaningful”, noting the age-old civilizational links between India and the Philippines. He also thanked President Marcos and the Filipino government for their strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, reaffirming solidarity in the global fight against terrorism.
Trade, Technology & Defence in Focus
Highlighting the growing economic engagement, PM Modi stated that bilateral trade has now surpassed $3 billion and emphasized the urgent need to conclude the review of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement to further deepen regional economic integration.
He also announced that India will scale up Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines under its Development Partnership initiative, and collaborate on building sovereign data cloud infrastructure to boost digital resilience and cyber security.
On defence cooperation, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing maritime security and modernising the Philippine military, with India’s indigenous defence industry playing a growing role in Manila’s defence modernization efforts.
Warmth and Diplomacy on Display
Earlier in the day, President Marcos was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi received him with full state honours, including a Guard of Honour.
Speaking after the bilateral talks, President Marcos expressed his gratitude for India’s hospitality and praised the rapid progress in defence and strategic partnerships. He affirmed that both nations are committed to “leveling up their cooperation in security, maritime stability, and technology.”
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who also participated in the discussions, expressed confidence that the visit would significantly deepen bilateral ties and open new avenues of regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
