India–Philippines Strategic Engagement During Marcos Visit

India–Philippines Strategic Engagement During Marcos Visit

Introduction

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to India from August 4 to 8, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the growing bilateral relations between India and the Philippines. This strategic engagement is set to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as defense, maritime security, trade, and regional stability, especially amid ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Highlights of the Visit

1. Defence and Security Cooperation

One of the major agendas of this visit is strengthening defense collaboration, especially in light of regional challenges. The two countries are likely to:

• Expand joint military exercises.
• Boost intelligence sharing and capacity building.
• Discuss co-production or technology transfer of defense equipment.

2. BrahMos Missile Deal

The Philippines have already ordered India’s BrahMos missile system under a landmark deal. During this visit, both nations may:

• Explore further deployment assistance.
• Negotiate for additional systems or technical upgrades.
• Promote defense industrial partnership in missile and naval technologies.

3. Maritime Security and Indo-Pacific Stability

Both countries share a strategic interest in ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Discussions are expected to focus on:

• Joint patrolling and maritime domain awareness.
• Cooperation on anti-piracy and disaster response.
• Countering Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.

4. Trade and Economic Engagement

With a goal to diversify supply chains and promote economic resilience, both nations will:

• Explore new investment opportunities.
• Enhance bilateral trade frameworks.
• Strengthen ties in sectors like pharmaceuticals, digital tech, and agritech.

Why This Visit Matters

• India and the Philippines are vital stakeholders in ASEAN–India and Quad-plus formats.
• The visit highlights India’s Act East Policy and reinforces New Delhi’s strategic outreach in Southeast Asia.
• It also strengthens cooperation in climate resilience, education exchanges, space tech, and people-to-people contacts.

Conclusion

The visit of President Marcos Jr. is a pivotal step in fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the Philippines. It not only strengthens defense and economic ties but also reinforces shared values of sovereignty, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.