India and Philippines Establish Strategic Partnership

On 5th August 2025, India and the Philippines formally established a Strategic Partnership during the State Visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to India, marking a historic step toward deepening bilateral cooperation.

Key Points

Strategic Partnership Formalized: The partnership was announced after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos. A comprehensive Plan of Action (2025–2029) was unveiled to guide the strategic cooperation.
Celebrating 75 Years of Relations: The leaders celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties since 1949, reaffirming friendship based on shared values, mutual respect, and cultural links.
Broad Areas of Cooperation: The Strategic Partnership spans multiple domains:
- Political and Security: Regular high-level engagements, Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, Strategic Dialogue, and enhanced maritime and defence collaboration.
- Defence Cooperation: Institutional mechanisms like the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee to promote joint training, technology transfer, shipbuilding, and coastal surveillance.
- Economic Ties: Emphasis on increasing bilateral trade (USD 3.3 billion in FY 2024–25), concluding a Preferential Trade Agreement, and cooperation in digital technologies, infrastructure, and critical minerals.
- Science and Innovation: Joint research in space, nuclear energy, agriculture, and renewable energy.
- Connectivity: Development of air, maritime, and digital linkages.
Regional and Global Alignment: Both countries committed to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding international law including UNCLOS (1982) and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea.