Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in New Delhi for a five-day state visit, marking a significant milestone in India-Philippines relations. The visit, at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, aims to deepen bilateral ties, with a focus on enhancing defence cooperation, boosting trade and investment, and addressing shared concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly maritime security in the South China Sea. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and key cabinet members, Marcos is set to engage in high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attend a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and participate in business and community events. This article explores the objectives, key engagements, and strategic implications of Marcos’ visit, highlighting its role in advancing India-Philippines partnership.
Objectives of the State Visit
The state visit, spanning August 5–9, 2025, seeks to elevate the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, by strengthening cooperation in critical areas:
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Defence and Security: Building on the 2022 BrahMos missile deal, both nations aim to expand defence collaboration, including joint military exercises, maritime patrols, and technology transfers to counter regional security challenges, notably China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.
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Trade and Investment: With bilateral trade reaching $3.15 billion in 2023–24, the visit targets increasing trade to $5 billion by 2027, focusing on agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and IT. Discussions will explore a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and investment in India’s defence manufacturing sector.
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Maritime Cooperation: Both countries, as maritime nations, aim to enhance cooperation in maritime security, fisheries, and marine conservation, aligning with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Philippines’ maritime modernization goals.
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Multilateral Engagement: The visit will reaffirm shared commitments to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, addressing issues like freedom of navigation and UNCLOS compliance amid tensions with China.
Key Engagements During the Visit
President Marcos’ itinerary includes a mix of diplomatic, cultural, and economic activities:
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August 5, 2025: Marcos was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a ceremonial reception and a visit to Raj Ghat to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi. Bilateral talks with PM Modi focused on defence, trade, and regional security, culminating in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas like defence technology, maritime cooperation, and renewable energy.
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August 6, 2025: Marcos will address the India-Philippines Business Forum, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Philippines Chamber of Commerce, to promote investment in sectors like agriculture, electronics, and clean energy. A meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will explore parliamentary cooperation.
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August 7–8, 2025: Marcos will visit Mumbai to engage with business leaders and the Filipino diaspora, numbering over 30,000 in India. He will inaugurate a Philippines Trade and Investment Office to boost economic ties and attend a cultural event showcasing Filipino heritage.
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August 9, 2025: Before departing, Marcos will meet President Droupadi Murmu to discuss cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties, reinforcing the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations (established November 1949).
The delegation, including Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, underscores the visit’s focus on multi-dimensional cooperation.
Defence Cooperation: A Cornerstone of the Partnership
Defence ties are a key pillar of the visit, building on the $375 million BrahMos missile deal signed in January 2022, which made the Philippines the first export customer for India’s supersonic cruise missile system. The first batch of shore-based anti-ship BrahMos missiles was delivered in April 2024, enhancing the Philippines’ maritime deterrence capabilities amid South China Sea tensions. During the visit, discussions will focus on:
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Additional BrahMos Supplies: The Philippines is exploring further acquisitions of BrahMos missiles for its navy and air force, with India offering training and maintenance support.
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Joint Military Exercises: The fourth India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in 2024 paved the way for expanded joint exercises, including the Exercise Samudra Shakti (naval) and Exercise Tarkash (counter-terrorism). Plans for trilateral exercises with ASEAN or Quad nations (India, US, Japan, Australia) are under consideration.
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Defence Manufacturing: India is encouraging Philippines investment in its defence corridors (Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), offering opportunities for co-production of small arms, radar systems, and naval platforms under the Make in India initiative.
The visit will also see the signing of an MoU on defence technology transfer, enabling the Philippines to leverage India’s expertise in indigenous defence production.
Trade and Economic Ties: Aiming for $5 Billion
Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines grew from $1.98 billion in 2020–21 to $3.15 billion in 2023–24, with India exporting $2.15 billion (pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, IT services) and importing $1 billion (electronics, coconut oil, minerals). Key economic objectives include:
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Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA): Negotiations for a PTA, initiated in 2023, aim to reduce tariffs and boost trade in agriculture (rice, sugar), pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy equipment. The agreement could increase trade by 30% by 2027.
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Investment Opportunities: India is promoting investments in its EV battery manufacturing, solar energy, and IT sectors, while Philippines firms are eyeing India’s generic drug market and food processing industry.
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Agricultural Cooperation: An MoU on agricultural research will facilitate knowledge sharing on sustainable farming and fisheries, addressing food security challenges in both nations.
The establishment of the Philippines Trade and Investment Office in Mumbai during the visit will streamline business linkages, targeting sectors like semiconductors, aerospace, and green hydrogen.
Maritime Security and the South China Sea
The South China Sea, where China’s expansive claims conflict with the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is a critical focus. India, a vocal supporter of UNCLOS and freedom of navigation, shares the Philippines’ concerns about Chinese aggression, exemplified by incidents at the Second Thomas Shoal. Marcos’ visit will reinforce:
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Maritime Patrols: Joint coast guard exercises and information-sharing to monitor illegal fishing and smuggling in the Indo-Pacific.
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Capacity Building: India’s offer to train Philippine naval and coast guard personnel, building on the 2023 agreement for maritime domain awareness.
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Regional Alignment: Both nations will reaffirm their commitment to ASEAN centrality and the Quad’s Indo-Pacific vision, countering China’s regional dominance.
The visit may also explore cooperation in marine conservation, given both countries’ rich marine biodiversity and shared challenges like overfishing and climate change.
Broader Context: India-Philippines Relations
The state visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, established in 1949, and builds on recent high-level engagements, including PM Modi’s 2018 visit to Manila and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visits in 2022 and 2024. The India-Philippines Strategic Partnership has gained momentum since the 2017 Modi-Duterte summit, with defence and trade as key drivers. The Philippines’ alignment with India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy strengthens their role as maritime democracies countering regional hegemonic pressures.
Cultural ties, bolstered by the 30,000-strong Filipino diaspora in India and growing Indian tourism to the Philippines (over 150,000 visitors in 2024), add a people-to-people dimension. The visit’s cultural events, including a Filipino heritage showcase in Mumbai, will deepen these bonds.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
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Geopolitical Sensitivities: Balancing defence cooperation without provoking China requires diplomatic finesse, as both nations maintain economic ties with Beijing.
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Trade Barriers: Non-tariff barriers and regulatory differences could delay the PTA, requiring sustained negotiations.
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Implementation Gaps: Effective execution of MoUs, particularly in defence technology and maritime cooperation, depends on bureaucratic alignment and funding.
Opportunities
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Defence Exports: The BrahMos deal positions India as a reliable defence partner for ASEAN nations, with potential exports to Vietnam and Indonesia.
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Economic Synergies: Complementary strengths in IT, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture offer mutual benefits, with India’s generic drugs addressing Philippines’ healthcare needs.
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Regional Stability: Strengthened India-Philippines ties enhance ASEAN-Quad synergy, promoting a rules-based Indo-Pacific order.
Future Outlook
Marcos’ visit is expected to yield concrete outcomes, including MoUs on defence, agriculture, and renewable energy, and a roadmap for achieving $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2027. The establishment of the Philippines Trade and Investment Office in Mumbai will catalyze economic ties, while expanded defence cooperation, including potential BrahMos exports and joint exercises, will bolster maritime security. The visit also sets the stage for India’s participation in the 2026 ASEAN Summit in Manila, reinforcing its Act East Policy.
As India and the Philippines navigate a complex geopolitical landscape, their partnership offers a model for middle powers to collaborate on security, economic growth, and regional stability. The visit underscores India’s growing role as a defence supplier and economic partner in Southeast Asia, aligning with its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s five-day state visit to India, commencing on August 5, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in India-Philippines relations, strengthening their Strategic Partnership through enhanced defence and trade ties. High-level talks with PM Narendra Modi, the signing of MoUs, and engagements with business and diaspora communities highlight the visit’s multi-faceted agenda. From advancing BrahMos missile cooperation to targeting $5 billion in bilateral trade, the visit addresses shared priorities in maritime security, clean energy, and economic growth. As both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties, Marcos’ visit reinforces their commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific, positioning India and the Philippines as key partners in shaping a stable and prosperous regional future.
