India-Philippines relations
Why in news?
India and the Philippines have elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during a recent meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and the Philippines President in New Delhi.
Strategic Partnership
In August 2025, India and the Philippines elevated their ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership. This landmark development took place during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to India, representing a formal commitment to deeper cooperation across political, security, economic, and cultural spheres.
Political and Security Cooperation
- Defense ties have grown notably, with the Philippines acquiring the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system from India—the first export of this system. Both countries now participate in enhanced defense dialogues, joint exercises, and information sharing. For the first time, Indian warships joined the Philippine Navy for joint maritime drills in 2025.
- The two sides emphasize a shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, supporting ASEAN Centrality and peaceful resolution of disputes, notably in the South China Sea.
Economic Engagement
- Bilateral trade hit about USD 3.3 billion in 2024–25. Both governments are negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement to further expand trade and investment.
- Economic cooperation spans renewable energy, critical minerals, digital technologies, infrastructure, startups, and more.
Digital and People-to-People Connectivity
· India provides consular assistance such as free e-tourist visas for Filipino nationals for one year, while the Philippines has reciprocated with visa-free entry for Indian tourists.
- India is assisting the Philippines in building a Sovereign Data Cloud.
- Direct flights between New Delhi and Manila are scheduled to resume in late 2025, enhancing business and tourism links.
Legal and Judicial Cooperation
· Multiple agreements have been signed, including on mutual legal assistance and the transfer of sentenced persons, to improve cooperation in law enforcement and judicial matters.
Broader Cooperation
· The partnership also covers agriculture, space, biotechnology, medical technology, education, cultural and tourism exchanges, and disaster response.
Summary
The elevation to a Strategic Partnership underscores both nations’ shared commitment to regional stability, economic cooperation, and an Indo-Pacific vision based on rules, openness, and inclusivity. Their growing defense, economic, and diplomatic ties reflect converging interests and a mutual desire for comprehensive collaboration.
Additional-
Bilateral relations, or partnerships between two countries, can be categorized into different types based on their scope and focus.
These include-
- Strategic partnerships, which often involve deeper cooperation in specific areas like defense, trade, or technology;
- Comprehensive partnerships, which aim for broader collaboration across various sectors; and
- Development partnerships, which focus on mutual growth and assistance in areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
- Additionally, partnerships can be categorized by their specific goals, such as economic partnerships, security partnerships, or cultural partnerships
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