By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s solidarity with the Philippines in upholding peace and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, declaring the two countries as “friends by choice and partners by destiny” as they officially elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.
Modi made the remarks in a joint press statement with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Hyderabad House following their bilateral meeting, the highlight of Marcos’ five-day state visit to India.
“India and the Philippines are friends by choice, and partners by destiny,” Modi said.
“From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past; it is a promise to the future.”
The launch of the Strategic Partnership marks a significant step in deepening cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade, and emerging technologies, and comes amid growing security tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels continue to harass Philippine ships within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
“As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between the two countries is both natural and necessary,” Modi said.
The Indian leader said the two countries have been working together in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations.
The Philippines and India recently staged their first joint sail and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, a vast, critical waterway that overlaps with the West Philippine Sea and is claimed entirely by China.
Modi said the Philippines is an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and “MAHASAGAR” 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,” Modi said.
Modi also emphasized that both nations are committed to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, backing the Philippines’ position on freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
India has supported the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea—a legal victory long upheld by Manila but ignored by Beijing.
Modi also announced that India will provide free e-visa access to Filipino tourists, reciprocating the Philippines’ visa-free entry for Indian nationals, in a bid to boost people-to-people ties.
Both sides aim to restart direct flights between Manila and New Delhi within the year.
India is now only the fifth country with which the Philippines has a Strategic Partnership, joining the United States, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.
India and the Philippines are celebrating 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The two leaders released a postage stamp to commemorate the occasion.
