Modi-Marcos meeting: Defence talks top agenda, PM thanks Philippines President for stand on terror

After meeting Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the strengthening of defence relations was a symbol of deep mutual trust between the two nations.

“It is a matter of pleasure that today we have decided to elevate our relations to the status of a strategic partnership. A comprehensive action plan has also been formulated to translate the potential of this partnership into results,” PM Modi said.

While addressing the Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Modi said for the first time, three Indian Navy ships are currently taking part in exercises in Philippine waters.

The PM also thanked the Philippine government for condemning the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

“India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past, it is a promise to the future,” PM Modi said.

He also said the Philippines is an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and “MAHASAGAR” vision.

Marcos said his visit to India is a reaffirmation of the bilateral partnership that "we are strengthening".

He also asserted that Manila wants to build on the existing ties with New Delhi and explore "many opportunities" that have arisen in the past few years.

"I think it's a reaffirmation of the alliance and the partnership that we are strengthening. We used to refer to the Asia Pacific region, we now refer to it as the Indo-Pacific region, which is, I think, a correct evolution of the understanding because of the global nature of all the politics, all the trade and all of the economy," the Philippine president said.

Marcos’ five-day visit comes as the Philippines strengthens its defence partnerships to counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea.
Marcos said that the Philippines-India strategic partnership will continue to collaborate on shared concerns.

He said Philippines-India strategic partnership will doubtless resonate beyond the confines of “our bilateral relationship”.

“Prime Minister Modi and I have committed to bringing our collaboration to bear on shared concerns. A free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, security and rule of law in the maritime commons. supply chain resilience, food security, countering terrorism and other traditional and non-traditional threats relative to the maritime sphere," he said.

Both leaders agreed to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, promoting peace, stability, and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).