Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, marking the formal start of his five-day state visit to India. The visit, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, is being viewed as a step towards deepening their strategic and economic partnership.
Speaking to the media following the welcome ceremony, Marcos described the visit as a reaffirmation of the evolving relationship between India and the Philippines. “This visit is the reaffirmation of the alliance and the partnership that we are strengthening. We used to be referred to as the Asia-Pacific region, now we are referred to as the Indo-Pacific region, which is a correct evolution… because of the global nature of politics, trade and economy,” he said.
Marcos emphasised that the two countries are looking to build upon existing areas of cooperation while exploring new opportunities emerging from technological advancements and changing global dynamics.
Accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, the President arrived in New Delhi on Monday. He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him, expressing hope that the visit would further cement bilateral ties.
The Philippine President is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda later on Tuesday.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on Marcos on Monday evening and expressed confidence that Tuesday’s talks with PM Modi would “significantly deepen” the bilateral partnership.
Marcos is also expected to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, engage in bilateral discussions on regional and global issues, and participate in various official events. He will travel to Bengaluru on Thursday before concluding his visit.
India and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1949. Over the decades, ties have expanded across sectors including trade, defence, maritime security, healthcare, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and digital technologies.
The visit also comes at a time when both countries are aligning more closely under regional frameworks such as India’s ‘Act East’ policy and its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
“The forthcoming State Visit of President Marcos coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations. The visit is an opportunity for both leaders to set the path for future bilateral cooperation and to engage on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
PM Modi and President Marcos last met on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and 19th East Asia Summit in Laos in 2024. Their previous meeting was during the 2023 ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta. Prime Minister Modi had also travelled to the Philippines in 2017 for the 15th ASEAN-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit.
(With inputs from IANS)