By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Prior to his departure for New Delhi on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered a departure speech at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, where he outlined his agenda at his meeting with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Cabinet, and business leaders.
The President honored the South Asian nation as a long-valued friend of the Philippines, with citizens of both nations entrenched in mutually beneficial interactions that have influenced language, literature, customs, and folklore in the country since pre-colonial times.
“These early contacts between Filipinos and Indians, which were sustained and amplified by the communities and commonalities in our values, our cultures, have translated into very long-standing, strong friendship between our countries and our people,” President Marcos said.
The Chief Executive likewise noted that this state visit will cap a year-long commemoration of the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries, which he cites as “both comprehensive in scope and multifaceted in nature.”
This cooperation is evident in the array of diplomatic engagements, strong societal and cultural bonds, robust commercial ties, and institutional linkages and exchanges in both public and private sectors, which also extends to upholding international maritime law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and protection of the rights and welfare of seafarers.
“I travel to India knowing our commonalities will lead us to a deeper, broader and more meaningful bilateral cooperation, both in the immediate future and up to our longer-term horizons that will ultimately serve peace, stability, and prosperity for our two nations in the wider Indo-Pacific region,” President Marcos declared.
“There is much potential for cooperation with India that will mutually benefit our peoples. We intend to explore this by charting a plan of cooperation across a broad spectrum of shared interests, from defense, trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, agriculture, tourism and many other areas,” the President added, noting an earlier announcement of VISA-free privileges for Indian travelers.
While he is on his official visit to India, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III will serve as the government’s caretakers.
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