India and the Philippines on Tuesday announced an upgraded strategic partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, defense, and maritime security.
The agreement was made following bilateral talks in New Delhi between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
According to Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the two nations also agreed to enhance collaboration in areas such as space, tourism, culture, and digital technologies.
Following the talks, Prime Minister Modi said both countries are committed to promoting peace, security, prosperity, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. President Marcos echoed similar views, saying the strategic partnership would extend beyond bilateral interests.
“We want to work with you for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Marcos told Modi.
President Marcos is on a five-day visit to India, which began on Monday. The visit comes amid growing defense ties between the two nations. On Sunday, India and the Philippines conducted joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea for the first time — a move that drew criticism from China.
India has also supplied the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines as part of its expanding defense cooperation..
Source: Agency