External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has expressed confidence that the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will significantly strengthen regional cooperation. This statement comes as President Marcos Jr. embarks on a five-day State Visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi.

The visit, which commenced on August 4, 2025, holds particular significance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines, established in November 1949. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this visit presents a valuable opportunity for both leaders to chart a course for future bilateral cooperation and to address regional and international matters of shared interest.

EAM Jaishankar, in a post on X, conveyed his delight in meeting with President Marcos Jr. at the beginning of his State Visit, underscoring his belief that the discussions with PM Modi on August 5, 2025, will substantially deepen the bilateral partnership between the two nations.

President Marcos Jr.'s itinerary includes meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda. He is also scheduled to participate in other engagements in the capital before proceeding to Bengaluru on August 7.

India and the Philippines have cultivated a robust partnership across various sectors, including trade and investment, defense and security, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and digital technologies. Both nations actively engage at the regional level, notably through India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. India's relations with the Philippines are integral to its "Act East" Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and its broader vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

In recent times, India and the Philippines have been strengthening their maritime cooperation, with both countries advocating for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. This has been evident through various interactions and activities, including the welcoming of Indian Naval Ships INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan in the Philippines on August 1, 2025. General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, highlighted the presence of the Indian destroyers as a clear demonstration of mutual resolve in safeguarding the maritime domain.

Furthermore, India delivered the first batch of the BrahMos missile system to the Philippines on April 19, 2024, marking the Philippines as the first foreign nation to acquire this missile system.

These developments signify the deepening ties between India and the Philippines and their commitment to enhancing regional cooperation on various fronts. The discussions between PM Modi and President Marcos Jr. are expected to further solidify this partnership and pave the way for enhanced collaboration in the years to come.