Finance
On Tuesday (August 5, 2025), India and the Philippines signed a strategic cooperation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the deepening of defense relations was a mark of the two countries’ profound mutual trust.
Following bilateral talks in New Delhi between Prime Minister Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., the two countries announced their strategic relationship.
“It is a matter of pleasure that today we have decided to elevate our relations to the status of a strategic partnership. A comprehensive action plan has also been formulated to translate the potential of this partnership into results,” Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the Philippines is an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.
“We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,” Mr. Modi said.
“It is a matter of pleasure that today we have decided to elevate our relations to the status of a strategic partnership. A comprehensive action plan has also been formulated to translate the potential of this partnership into results,” he said.
India and the Philippines are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations, and the two presidents have issued a commemorative postage stamp.
Mr. Modi also praised the Philippine government for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident, which killed 26 people, and for supporting India in the battle against terrorism.
The Prime Minister stated that the improved defense cooperation between the two countries are a symbol of profound mutual trust.
“As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between the two countries is both natural and essential. We have been working together in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue,” Mr. Modi said.
He said under the development partnership, India will increase the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines and will also cooperate in the development of sovereign data cloud infrastructure.
“Today, when the President is in India, three ships of the Indian Navy are participating in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time,” Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the trade between the two countries was increasing in a sustained manner and crossed $3 billion.
“To further strengthen trade ties, it is our priority to review the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement at the earliest. We have also decided to work towards a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement,” he said.
Mr. Modi stated that Indian enterprises operate in the fields of information and digital technology, health, cars, infrastructure, and minerals. He noted that joint research is taking place in science and technological fields ranging from virology to artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing.
The Prime Minister stated that the two countries’ scientific and technology cooperation plan will provide momentum to their partnership.
