Delhi: In a pivotal move to reinforce Indo-Pacific strategic alignment, Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to embark on a five-day visit to India from August 4 to 8, 2025. The visit aims to solidify defence and maritime security ties between the two nations, spotlighting their growing cooperation against the backdrop of a volatile South China Sea.
The visit holds particular significance as the Philippines remains the first foreign nation to induct India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system, with deliveries initiated on April 19, 2024.
Maritime Defence Takes Centre Stage
A key highlight of President Marcos Jr.’s trip will be the expected finalisation of a defence cooperation agreement, focusing on maritime security and the broader maritime domain. Both nations are aligning their defence strategies to counter China’s assertive manoeuvres in the region, particularly its expansive claims in the South China Sea.
India and the Philippines are united in championing freedom of navigation, territorial sovereignty, and adherence to international law. This includes respect for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that rejected China’s nine-dash line claims.
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Institutionalised Naval Engagements
Defence ties between the two countries are built on a robust framework of maritime collaboration:
- Indian Navy ships regularly conduct port calls to the Philippines.
- The Indian Navy has extended vessel repair support to Vietnam, underscoring regional trust.
- Hydrographic cooperation remains ongoing between the navies.
- A landmark MoU was signed in August 2023 between the Indian Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard to boost joint enforcement, search and rescue, and marine pollution response capabilities.
- New dialogues initiated in late 2024 have expanded cooperation into maritime capacity-building, disaster response, intelligence sharing, and environmental protection.
These engagements are shaping a comprehensive maritime security partnership grounded in operational synergy and mutual trust.
Beyond Defence: Trade and Tourism Boost
The visit is also expected to invigorate economic and people-to-people ties. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached USD 3.5 billion in FY 2023–24, with both nations eyeing further growth.
To encourage tourism and connectivity, the Philippines has extended visa-free travel for Indian nationals and plans to resume direct flight operations by the end of 2025. These steps reflect the broader agenda of elevating the bilateral relationship into a multi-dimensional partnership.
An Indo-Pacific Axis in Motion
President Marcos Jr.’s India visit reinforces a shared commitment to regional stability, rule-based maritime order, and deeper economic integration. With BrahMos symbolising defence trust and maritime cooperation driving strategic synergy, the two democracies are charting a unified course across Indo-Pacific waters.
