Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr arrived in the national capital on Monday for a five-day state visit to India, aimed at further strengthening India-Philippines relations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated.
This is the first visit by the President of the Southeast Asian nation to India since he assumed office in 2022, marking a key milestone as it coincides with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
According to a post on X by the MEA, President Marcos was warmly received by Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita.
“Mabuhay, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.! President Bongbong Marcos has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Received by MoS Pabitra Margherita and accorded a warm welcome. India & the Philippines are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. This visit will lead to further strengthening of India-Philippines relations,” the MEA stated on X.
He was accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation, including several Cabinet ministers.
According to a statement by the MEA, during his visit, President Marcos will hold talks with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other senior officials.
He will also meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
On August 5, he is scheduled to lay a wreath at Rajghat, followed by bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House.
The exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and press statements will take place thereafter.
The Philippine President will also meet Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda, followed by a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
He is then expected to travel to Bengaluru, where he will meet Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. His visit follows an invitation extended by Prime Minister Modi, the MEA stated.
Diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949. Since then, both countries have developed a strong partnership across a broad spectrum of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, maritime cooperation, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and digital technologies.
The two countries also engage closely at the regional level, including through India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
The statement added that India’s relations with the Philippines are an integral part of the country’s ‘Act East’ Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and its broader Indo-Pacific vision.
The visit is expected to serve as a platform for both leaders to chart the course for future bilateral cooperation and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
India and the Philippines share warm and multifaceted bilateral relations rooted in historical ties and shared democratic values. Cooperation spans various sectors, including defence, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
— ANI
