Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary, Enrique Manalo, on Wednesday highlighted the rapid growth of India-Philippines ties as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, underlining the expanded cooperation in key sectors like renewable energy, maritime security, cybersecurity, AI, and health, while reaffirming the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking to ANI, Secretary Manalo remarked on the evolving relationship, noting that while the two countries have been partners for centuries, the past 4-5 years have seen a remarkable surge in collaboration. “We are celebrating the 75th anniversary of official relations between the Philippines and India, but we have been partners for much longer. In recent years, our cooperation has grown by leaps and bounds,” Manalo said. He stressed that this enhanced collaboration spans a variety of sectors, including renewable energy, maritime cooperation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT), pharmaceuticals, and health security. He also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, one that fosters peace, prosperity, and security for all its people.
Manalo met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2025. Both leaders engaged in discussions on several crucial areas of collaboration, including connectivity, maritime cooperation, and strengthening India-ASEAN ties. Jaishankar later shared an update on their meeting through a post on X, noting the comprehensive discussions that took place on connectivity, maritime infrastructure, and the deepening of ASEAN partnerships.
The two nations are also in active discussions to establish a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), aimed at boosting trade and commercial engagement. During his address to FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) members, Secretary Manalo emphasized the Philippines’ interest in deepening economic engagement with India in various sectors, including automotive, battery manufacturing, value-added IT and IT-enabled services (ITES), pharmaceuticals, health, and agriculture.
Notably, the Philippines has invited India to source nickel from the country, a strategic move to reduce its dependence on Chinese buyers. The Philippines is the world’s second-largest nickel producer and accounts for 11% of global nickel production, with a significant portion used in lithium-ion battery production. Manalo stressed that India’s participation in the Philippines’ nickel sector would not only help diversify its export markets but also contribute to the processing and development of a value chain. He pointed out that India currently imports significant quantities of raw nickel from countries like Russia, Norway, and Japan, making the Philippines an attractive alternative for supply chain realignment.
The Secretary also underscored the importance of accelerating negotiations on the PTA, which has been under preliminary discussion for the past two years. “We believe that a PTA will help diversify and expand commercial relations between our two Indo-Pacific economies,” Manalo said.
The Philippines is also undergoing a major vehicle modernization program and has extended an invitation to Indian commercial vehicle manufacturers to participate. Manalo highlighted India’s untapped potential as a market for Philippine exports, with an estimated potential of USD 577 million.
Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached approximately USD 3.5 billion in 2024, reflecting nearly a twofold increase over the past few years. FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal noted that India’s pharmaceutical industry plays a significant role in the Philippine market, accounting for about 20% of Indian pharmaceutical exports to the Asian region. Agarwal also pointed out the diversification of collaboration into new and strategic sectors such as waste management, green mobility, and agricultural technology. Additionally, the defense partnership between the two nations has grown, marked by India’s delivery of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in April 2024.
To further enhance business engagement, the Philippine government has introduced an e-visa system for Indian travelers and business visitors. Secretary Manalo highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the visa system, making it more streamlined and accessible. “We are working on further improving the visa system, specifically for India, to encourage more business visitors and engagement,” Manalo said.
Philippine Ambassador to India, Josel Francisco Ignacio, elaborated on several facilitation measures, including a “fast track” process for legitimate businesses with investments in the Philippines. He also mentioned that the e-visa system allows multiple-entry visas valid for six months or one year, with ongoing improvements expected soon.
(With ANI inputs)
