MANILA, Philippiness– President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to undertake a state visit to India from Aug. 4 to 8, during which at least six bilateral agreements are expected to be signed, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
The visit marks the first by a Philippine president to India since 2007 and coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
President Marcos will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5 for bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation in defense, technology, trade, and other strategic areas.
Ahead of the visit, the Philippine Coast Guard and Indian Coast Guard signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and marine pollution response.
The state visit is expected to focus on expanding defense ties, advancing joint efforts in maritime security, and enhancing cooperation on counter-terrorism initiatives.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss trade and investment opportunities, particularly in technology and infrastructure development.
President Marcos’ itinerary includes official meetings in New Delhi and a visit to Bangalore, where further engagements with Indian officials and business leaders are planned.
Negotiations leading to the agreements began in August 2023 during earlier discussions in Manila. The upcoming deals aim to establish new legal and technical cooperation frameworks between the two countries.
Both governments have expressed support for closer ties and shared interests in regional security, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific.