Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s role in rescuing Filipino nationals following a Houthi rebel attack in 2024. He made the remarks during a joint press conference held in New Delhi.
President Marcos underscored the importance of ensuring safe navigation and maritime security for Filipino seafarers.
“Safe navigation and security are crucial, especially for Filipino seafarers who serve aboard vessels across these historic and strategic sea lanes. I again thank the Indian people and the brave men and women of the Indian Navy, through Prime Minister Modi, for the kind rescue of our nationals in 2024 after the Houthi rebel attack,” he said.
Acknowledging India’s role as a first responder in maritime crises, he added,
“We recognise India’s influence and first responder role in this critical area and wish to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both our nations have high stakes in the region’s future.”
In a bid to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges, President Marcos announced visa-free entry for Indian tourists, while Prime Minister Modi reciprocated with a similar initiative for Filipino visitors. Both leaders also welcomed the resumption of direct flights between India and the Philippines from October 2025.
“I reiterated our offer of visa-free entry to Indian tourists and invited more Indians to visit the Philippines. I thank Prime Minister Modi, in turn, for announcing a visa-free scheme for Filipino tourists visiting India. We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and reaffirm our commitment to expanding such air connectivity,” Marcos said.
The two countries committed to deepening their strategic partnership with a focus on shared priorities, including maritime security, food security, supply chain resilience, and counter-terrorism.
“Sea lines of communication crossing the Indian Ocean have long supported prosperity across the Far East and Pacific. Our people’s aspirations depend on secure maritime trade routes,” he noted.
Reaffirming the strength of the Philippines–India strategic partnership, President Marcos said both sides were aligned on key issues.
“Our strategic partnership will certainly resonate beyond our bilateral ties. Prime Minister Modi and I committed to enhanced cooperation on mutual concerns — promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific; upholding the rule of law in maritime domains; ensuring supply chain resilience; safeguarding food security; and countering terrorism and other traditional and non-traditional maritime threats,” he said.
Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to peace, stability, and international law in the Indo-Pacific, including respect for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
President Marcos also expressed appreciation for India’s continued support to ASEAN, particularly during the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship in 2026.
“I thank Prime Minister Modi for India’s backing of peaceful dispute resolution and adherence to international law, including the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. I also thank him for supporting ASEAN’s unity and centrality as we prepare to assume the chairmanship in 2026,” he added.
President Marcos is on a five-day state visit to India from August 4 to 8.
-ANI