What Does President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr's State Visit to India Entail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr arrives in India for a five-day State Visit.
- This visit marks the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines.
- Key discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, defense, and maritime security.
- The visit includes meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.
- India's relationship with the Philippines is a critical component of its ‘Act East’ Policy.
New Delhi, Aug 4 (NationPress) The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, has landed in New Delhi on Monday for his inaugural State Visit to India. He was greeted at the airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Pabitra Margherita.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, provided a heartfelt welcome to Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, noting that this visit aims to further enhance the relationship between India and the Philippines.
“Mabuhay, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.! His arrival in New Delhi marks his first State Visit to India, where he was warmly welcomed by MoS Pabitra Margherita. India and the Philippines are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. This visit is set to strengthen the India-Philippines relationship,” Jaiswal shared on X.
During the five-day visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Philippines President is accompanied by the First Lady, Madame Louise Araneta Marcos. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, and will also make a trip to Bengaluru before heading back to the Philippines on August 8.
In an earlier press release, the MEA stated, “This is President Marcos' first visit to India following his assumption of the presidency. Scheduled for August 5 are bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Marcos, along with a meeting with Honorable Rastrapatiji Smt. Droupadi Murmu. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will also meet with President Marcos during this visit.”
The diplomatic relationship between India and the Philippines was established in November 1949, resulting in a robust partnership across numerous sectors, including trade, defense, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and digital technologies. The two nations also collaborate closely at the regional level, particularly through India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
The MEA reiterated, “India’s relations with the Philippines are a vital component of our ‘Act East’ Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and our Indo-Pacific strategy. This upcoming State Visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines. It presents an opportunity for both leaders to outline a future roadmap for bilateral cooperation and engage on regional and global topics of mutual interest.”