By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

On the 2nd day of his five-day state visit to India on Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and 12 members of his Cabinet, arrived at the Hyderabad House, the official residence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where Philippine Cabinet officials and their counterparts signed bilateral agreements, which include:

Exchange of Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership

Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Strategic Partnership (2025-2029)

Terms of Reference between the Indian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force on Air Staff Talks

Terms of Reference between the Indian Army and the Philippine Army on Army-to-Army Staff Talks

Terms of Reference between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy on Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks

Treatment on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters

Treaty on transfer of sentenced persons

Program of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology for the period of 2025-2028 between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Republic of the Philippines and its Indian counterpart

Implementation Program between the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of India on Tourism Cooperation (2025-2028)

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines on Cooperation in the Field of Digital Technologies

Statement of Intent between Indian Space Research Organization, Republic of India and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), Philippines on Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

Terms of Reference for Enhanced Maritime Cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

Cultural Exchange Program between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines

Among the Cabinet officials accompanying President Marcos were DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Department of Agriculture (D.A.) Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, PhilSA Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez, PCG Commandant Ronnie Gavan, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairperson Victorino Manalo.

Forging a strategic partnership with India

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive rounded off his stint at the Hyderabad House with a speech where he expressed his gratitude to India, noting his state visit as the fifth time a Philippine President has visited the South Asian nation since that of his father, the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., in 1976.

President Marcos likewise expressed solidarity with Indian citizens over the tragic attack in Pahalgam in April and the broader fight against terrorism arising from this incident.

“I come at a crucial juncture in our bilateral partnership. Today, our relationship enters a new epoch as PM Modi and I formally launched the strategic partnership between the Philippines and India,” President Marcos said, hailing India as the fifth strategic partner of the Philippines, which also includes Australia, United States, Japan, and South Korea.

“This new apex attests as much to the remarkably rapid growth, broadening, and deepening of our 75-year-old bilateral relationship,” Marcos added, noting the immense potential of both economies for growth and prosperity.

The Chief Executive, moreover, announced India’s pledge on fostering deeper collaboration in aspects concerning defense and security, citing the BrahMos project among the proposed mechanisms for service-to-service talks, information sharing, and training exchanges amongst our militaries that will enhance the capabilities of both countries, which also extends to the maritime domain.

President Marcos also recognized the importance of economic tie-ups that have endured the test of time over the past seven decades, with trade between both countries pegged at USD 3.3 billion last year.

“To this end, we have decided to expedite the work that we are doing before our bilateral preferential trade agreement. We look at leveraging useful opportunities to boost two-way investment; our fast-growing innovative private enterprises will play an important role in our common march towards progress and development, facilitating innovation, technology transfer, and upskilling, and generating employment for all people,” the President said.

“For over a millennia, civilizational, cultural, and people-to-people ties have bridged our geographic distance. They will continue to be the enduring foundation of our friendship, and we will enact policies to make sure that this is so,” he added, welcoming India’s introduction of VISA-free entry privileges to Filipino tourists traveling to India in response to a similar initiative by the Philippines in June.

The Chief Executive also lauded the resumption of direct flights between both nations, which is set to begin in October this year, vowing to reaffirm his commitment to sustaining and expanding air connectivity between Manila and New Delhi.

Remarks of gratitude

President Marcos, moreover, expressed gratitude for India’s valuable contribution towards its commitment to its alliance with the Philippines.

The Chief Executive began by recognizing the courage and selflessness of Indian navy personnel, who were the first responders that rescued Filipino seafarers after a Houthi rebel attack in 2024.

“Relative to the maritime sphere, I thank PM Modi once again for India’s support for the peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Award in the South China Sea arbitration,” the President said. 

“As incoming chair of ASEAN for 2026, as current coordinator as well of the ASEAN-India comprehensive strategic partnership, I thank PM Modi for his government’s support for ASEAN, its unity and centrality, and our chairmanship in 2026,” he added.

Earlier Tuesday, President Marcos began his engagements upon arriving at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, the official residence of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, where he received arrival honors and a warm welcome from Murmu and Prime Minister Modi.

The Chief Executive was then accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and 12 members of his Cabinet at a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat memorial complex. (with report from Kenneth Paciente/PTV News)

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