New Delhi, Aug 5 (NationPress) The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, received a grand ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. He emphasized that this State Visit signifies the strengthening partnership between India and the Philippines.

Arriving in New Delhi on Monday for a five-day State Visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Marcos expressed to reporters, "This visit is a reaffirmation of the alliance and partnership we are enhancing. While we were once identified as part of the Asia-Pacific, we are now recognized as part of the Indo-Pacific, which accurately reflects the evolving nature of global politics, trade, and economics."

He further stated, "We aim to build on the existing foundations between India and the Philippines and to explore the numerous opportunities that have emerged in recent years due to advancements in technology and changes in the global economy and geopolitics."

After this, President Marcos will pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

On Monday, Union Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Pabitra Margherita welcomed him at the airport. The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, warmly greeted Marcos Jr, stating that his visit would enhance the bonds between India and the Philippines.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also met with President Marcos Jr in New Delhi on Monday, expressing his belief that the discussions between the visiting leader and Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday will significantly strengthen ties between the two nations.

In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar remarked, "I am delighted to meet President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr of the Philippines this evening in Delhi as his State Visit commences. I am confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will greatly enhance our bilateral partnership."

Accompanying the President is First Lady Madame Louise Araneta Marcos.

Ferdinand R Marcos Jr is set to hold meetings with Prime Minister Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda on Tuesday. He has additional engagements planned in the capital on Wednesday before visiting Bengaluru on Thursday, ultimately returning to the Philippines.

Diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. Since then, both nations have cultivated a robust partnership across various sectors, including trade and investment, defense and security, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and digital technologies.

The two countries maintain close collaboration at the regional level, particularly through India's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

The MEA noted, "India's relationship with the Philippines is a crucial element of our 'Act East' Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and our vision for the Indo-Pacific. President Marcos' State Visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations, presenting an opportunity for leaders to outline future bilateral cooperation and address regional and international issues of shared interest."

PM Modi and President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr previously met briefly at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos in 2024. They also met on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta in 2023. In 2017, PM Modi visited the Philippines for the 15th ASEAN-India Summit and the 12th East Asia Summit.