Context:
The strategic partnership between India and the Philippines was recently officially formalised during the recent visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India. This visit marked a pivotal moment in the bilateral relations of both countries, fostering closer cooperation in areas such as defence, trade, maritime security, and regional stability.
Key Highlights of President Marcos Jr.'s Visit to India
1. Strategic Partnership Formalised: The two countries officially elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, reinforcing long-term cooperation in strategic sectors such as defence, trade, and regional security.
2. Maritime Security and Defence Dialogue: A Ministerial Defence Dialogue was institutionalised, focusing on enhancing cooperation in defence technologies and military training.
3. Expansion of BrahMos Deal: The Philippines reaffirmed its interest in expanding the BrahMos missile deal, including exploring joint production and co-development of advanced defence technologies.
4. Regional Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: India reiterated its support for ASEAN centrality in regional security frameworks, stressing the importance of a unified approach to the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. India also expressed its unwavering support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling on the South China Sea, aligning with the Philippines' territorial position.
5. Trade and Economic Commitments: Both countries committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals, digital payments, and green energy, which would further strengthen economic ties.
Historical Background:
India and the Philippines have shared diplomatic relations since 1949. Over the decades, their ties have evolved, shaped by shared democratic values, anti-colonial legacies, and similar geopolitical concerns. India’s “Look East” and later “Act East” policy has significantly boosted its engagement with Southeast Asian nations, and the Philippines has emerged as an important partner in this vision.
Trade and Economic Ties:
India and the Philippines have enjoyed a long-standing economic relationship. Their formal Trade Agreement was signed in 1979, but it was in the late 1990s, propelled by India's Look East Policy, that bilateral trade began to show remarkable growth.
· The India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement signed in 2009 further accelerated this trade relationship.
· Bilateral trade crossed the USD 3 billion mark for the first time in 2022-23, reaching USD 3.53 billion in 2023-24. India currently enjoys a trade surplus with the Philippines.
Conclusion:
The formalisation of the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership is a significant milestone in their growing bilateral relationship. Both nations are poised to benefit from deeper defence cooperation, trade expansion, and regional stability efforts, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. With shared concerns over China’s maritime assertiveness and the common goal of a free, open, and rules-based maritime order, the India-Philippines relationship is set to play a key role in shaping the future security landscape of Southeast Asia and beyond.
