Overview of the President of the Philippines Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. State Visit to India

The President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez (R.) Marcos Jr. undertook a 5-day state visit to India from August 04, 2025 to August 08, 2025, at the invitation of the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

• During his visit to India, President Marcos was accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation which included cabinet ministers and business leaders.
• This marked the PhilippinesPresident Marcos 1st official state visit to India, ever since he assumed office in 2022.
• President Marco’s visit to India also coincided with the 75th anniversary of establishment of India-Philippines diplomatic relations (1949).

Key Highlights:

Bilateral Meeting: President Marcos held a bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Hyderabad House, New Delhi (Delhi).

Release of Commemorative Stamp: Following the bilateral meeting, PM Modi and Philippine President jointly unveiled commemorative postal stamps to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries.

• These postal stamps were themed on National Flowers of two countries i.e. Lotus (India) and Sampaguita (the Philippines).

Key Outcomes:

Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership:

Announcement of Strategic Partnership: Both India and The Philippines announced the ‘Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of the Philippines’, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation.

• The announcement was made following the bilateral meeting held between PM Narendra Modi and Philippine President Marcos in New Delhi.
• This Strategic Partnership is guided by the comprehensive Plan of Action (2025-29) adopted by the two countries on August 05, 2025.

Aim: To promote peace, stability, and prosperity in both countries and the Indo-Pacific region, with strong emphasis to Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centrality.

Bilateral Trade and Investment: Both countries appreciated the steady increase in bilateral trade, which reached nearly USD 3.3 billion in 2024-25.

Key MoUs Signed:

India and the Philippines signed a total 14 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors like: digital technologies; space; science; and tourism; among others.

• These MoUs were exchanged in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and Philippine President Marcos.

ToRs between Defence Forces: Among 14 MoUs signed, 3 Terms of References (ToRs) were signed between the Armies, Navies and Air Forces of India and the Philippines.

• Also, India and the Philippines signed a ToR for improved maritime cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters: Both countries signed a MoU on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. Additionally, a treaty was signed on transfer of sentenced persons between the two countries.

Science and Technology: Both countries signed a MoU aimed to promote cooperation in the field of Science & Technology for the period of 2025-28. It aimed to bolster the cooperation between the department of Science and Technology of both the countries.

Space Programme: Also, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with the Philippine Space Agency on cooperation on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space.

Tourism Cooperation: A MoU was signed on the implementation Program for tourism cooperation for a period of 2025-28.

Digital Technologies: Also, both countries signed a MoU in the field of digital technologies.

India & Philippines Signed 18 MoUs and LoIs:

Total Business Agreements: On August 07 2025, Indian companies signed a total of 18 MoUs and Letter of Intents (LoIs) for investments in the Philippines in various sectors such as: Information Technology (IT), Telecommunication, Waste-to-Energy Generation, healthcare, business process management and digital infrastructure.

• These agreements were exchanged in the presence of the Philippine President Marcos during the Philippines-India Business Forum held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The forum was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Government of the Philippines in partnership with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) (as National Chamber).

6 Priority Sectors: While addressing, the forum President Marcos outlined 6 priority sectors for long term collaboration in areas like: Electric Vehicles (EVs), Advanced Electronics, Renewable Energy (RE), Agriculture, Healthcare and Cyber Security.

Key Details of MoUs:

Waste-to-Energy Facility: India and the Philippines signed a MoU which involved entities specialized in infrastructure and clean energy development.

MoU for Investment of USD 100 Million: DRA Group, property developer company in India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Balajadia Family office, Philippines to jointly develop a real estate platform, with an investment of USD 100 million.

• For the initial phase, the main focus of the project will be on Grade-A commercial and retail developments in Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) and Bengaluru (Karnataka).
• This equal joint venture will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

IT-business process management sector: Various LoIs were signed in the IT-business process management sector. These agreements have outlined plans to establish digital academies and expand operations in health care outsourcing and business process management and Artificial Intelligence (AI) training.

3 MoUs: Both countries signed 3 separate MoUs in areas like: digital finance, commercial real estate development and sustainable last-mile logistics.

LoIs: Also, various LoIs were presented during the forum, including the expansion of dialysis centers, clinical outsourcing services and fuel cell technology ventures.

Other Key MoUs: Other MoUs and LoIs included projects for telecommunications, tower construction, expansion of precision sheet metal manufacturing, and copper smelting and refining ventures.

Key Announcements:

Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure: India has decided to extend its support on a pilot project for establishing Philippines’ Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure.

IFC-IOR: India has also invited the Philippines to participate in the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) based in Gurugram, Haryana.

Visa-Free Entry for Indian Tourists: The Government of Philippines has decided to allow visa-free entry to Indian tourists.

• India reciprocated with a similar announcement that it has decided to extend free e-visa facilities to tourists from the Philippines for a period of 1 year (from August 2025).
• These announcements marked a significant step to boost tourism and people-to-people ties.

Adoption of ToR for PTA: The GoI and The Government of Philippines have agreed to adopt ToRs on PTA between the two countries.

Delhi-Manila Direct Flights: In order to enhance regional connectivity between India and the Philippines, direct flights from Delhi (India) to Manila (The Philippines) are expected to be operational from October 01, 2025.

• These flights will operate 5 days in a week i.e. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with Airbus and A321 neo aircraft.
• These flights will include a 3-class configuration, which includes Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.

About the Philippines:
Capital- Manila
President- Ferdinand Romualdez (R.) Marcos Jr.
Currency- The Philippine Peso (PHP)