New Delhi: India and the Philippines on Tuesday elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic ties. The announcement came following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. in the capital.
“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,” Prime Minister Modi said after the meeting.
The upgrade in ties comes as both nations celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. To mark the occasion, Modi and Marcos Jr jointly released a commemorative postage stamp symbolising the growing friendship between the two countries.
Emphasising shared values and mutual trust, Prime Minister Modi highlighted defence cooperation as a key pillar of the deepening relationship. “The strengthening of our defence relations is a symbol of deep mutual trust between our two nations,” he noted.
Modi also thanked the Philippine government for strongly condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 lives were lost. He expressed gratitude for Manila’s support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.
“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,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated the Philippines' role as a key partner in India’s Act East Policy and the ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision, India’s strategic framework for the maritime domain. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace, security, prosperity, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,” Modi stated, underscoring India’s consistent stance on regional maritime stability.
With PTI inputs