New Delhi – India and the Philippines have formally elevated their bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership, a significant development announced following the state visit of Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to India. The announcement, detailed in a statement by Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, underscores a broadened scope of engagement between the two nations.
The state visit of President Marcos Jr. commenced on August 4, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on August 8, 2025. During high-level discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos Jr. agreed to deepen collaboration across a multitude of sectors, aiming for enhanced regional stability and mutual growth.
The newly established strategic partnership encompasses a wide array of areas, including political cooperation, defense, security, and maritime cooperation. Economic ties are also set to strengthen with increased focus on trade, investment, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and cooperation in science and technology, space, connectivity, and the digital economy, including fintech.
To guide this expanded cooperation, a comprehensive plan of action for the period 2025-2029 has been adopted. This roadmap outlines specific initiatives and timelines to ensure the effective implementation of the strategic partnership's objectives.
Beyond strategic and economic domains, the partnership also emphasizes closer ties in consular matters, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The year 2025 has been designated as the ASEAN-India year of tourism, further highlighting the commitment to fostering cultural understanding and travel. Additionally, discussions included cooperation in waste management, leveraging India's experience and technologies.
The move to a strategic partnership reflects both countries' commitment to a more robust and integrated relationship, addressing shared regional and international interests. This elevation is expected to have far-reaching implications for regional security and economic development in the Indo-Pacific.