India and the Philippines share a longstanding partnership rooted in democratic values, civilizational links, and a shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Over the past seven decades, this relationship has evolved into a multifaceted and dynamic engagement spanning diplomacy, trade, and several other sectors.
Formal diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established on November 26, 1949, soon after both nations achieved independence. Since then, the bilateral partnership has steadily deepened, underpinned by mutual respect, strategic cooperation, and a common vision for regional development.
High-level engagements
Political ties have been reinforced through frequent high-level exchanges. In October 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met briefly on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, reaffirming the countries’ commitment to regional cooperation.
Earlier engagements include PM Modi’s meeting with then-President Benigno Aquino III during the 12th ASEAN-India/9th East Asia Summit in 2014 and a 2012 visit to India by then-Vice President Jejomar C. Binay for the 10th ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
Bilateral trade
Economic relations between the two nations have seen significan growth in recent years. According to the Department of Commerce, bilateral trade increased from USD 2.03 billion in 2020–21 to USD 3.53 billion in 2023–24, reflecting growing mutual interest in economic engagement.
India’s key exports to the Philippines include engineering goods, automobile parts, pharmaceuticals, rice, electronic items, petroleum products, and chemicals. Indian pharmaceutical products alone account for around 12 percent of the Philippines’ total pharmaceutical imports. Conversely, India imports electrical machinery, semiconductors, ores, copper, precious stones, and by-products used in the food and animal feed industries from the Philippines.
MoUs
Institutional frameworks have played a pivotal role in cementing bilateral ties. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation, signed in 2006, led to the formation of a Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), which has met five times to date.
In June 2023, both nations signed an MoU to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Financial Technology, aimed at enhancing cooperation in digital payments, fintech innovation, and financial inclusion. The first meeting of the JWG was held in New Delhi in September 2024.
India also launched its Quick Impact Projects (QIP) initiative in February 2023, providing grant assistance for small-scale, community-based development projects in the Philippines.
Agricultural collaboration has also been a focus. The MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture and Related Fields was signed on November 13, 2017. The second meeting of the India-Philippines JWG on Agriculture took place in Manila on May 18, 2018.
Shared vision for Indo-Pacific
India’s strategic engagement with the Philippines gained momentum through the Look East Policy (1992) and was further accelerated by the Act East Policy (2014). India’s Indo-Pacific strategy—centered around ASEAN centrality, maritime security, and regional cooperation—resonates strongly with the Philippines’ own priorities.
The Philippines currently serves as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations (2024–2027), highlighting its active role in fostering regional integration.
Support at international fora
India and the Philippines have consistently supported each other at multilateral platforms. The Philippines has backed India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, including support for the G4 initiative for Security Council reform. They also supported India’s candidature for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2021–22 and 2011–12 terms. In turn, India is supporting the Philippines’ candidature for the 2027–28 term.
Humanitarian cooperation
India has extended timely humanitarian assistance to the Philippines in times of crisis. This includes disaster relief following events such as the Southern Leyte rockslide (2006), Typhoon Reming (2006), Typhoon Pablo (2012), and the 2013 earthquake in Bohol. During Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, India sent 15 tons of relief supplies. In 2017, India contributed $500,000 for rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Indian community organizations in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Indian Embassy, provided nearly $250,000 worth of face masks to the Philippine government.
India has also offered assistance during maritime emergencies.
As India aims for a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 and the Philippines pursues its development goals in the Indo-Pacific, both nations are poised to deepen cooperation in emerging sectors such as technology, digital infrastructure, diaspora engagement, and defence.