India and the Philippines have agreed to elevate bilateral cooperation to the level of strategic partnership. Addressing the media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) Periasamy Kumaran said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos adopted the plan of action for the period of 2025 to 2029 to guide cooperation under the elevated strategic partnership during the bilateral talks held today. Mr Kumaran highlighted that 14 MOUs across various sectors were concluded and exchanged between India and the Philippines. He added that these agreements include mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters, a treaty on transfer of sentence persons, terms of reference on negotiations for the India Philippines preferential trade agreement, terms of reference for service, staff talks, army, air force and navy, enhanced cooperation between Coast Guards.
Mr Kumaran underlined that direct flight connectivity between India and the Philippines is likely to be operationalized in the coming months. He said that India has announced gratis e-tourist visa for Philippines nationals. He added that the Philippines has made visa-free entry possible for Indian tourists for up to a period of 14 days. During the bilateral talks both the leaders took note of growing defence collaboration and agreed to strengthen it further. They also appreciated the steady increase in bilateral trade that has crossed the figure of 3 Billion dollars. It was also noted that India is a top exporter of pharmaceutical products to the Philippines. He said, the leaders welcomed progress incooperation in the agriculture sector, particularly in rice research, since the last visit of the Prime Minister to the Philippines in November 2017.
Mr Kumaran mentioned that President Marcos is accompanied bythe First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high level delegation comprising 14 ministers, senior officials and a large business delegation. He said that President Marcos will meet President Droupadi Murmu later today. The President will also host a banquet in honour of President Marcos.
The state visit of Philippines President Marcos commenced yesterday and will go on till 8th of August. This is the first visit of President Marcos to India in his official capacity. The visit is significant as it comes when both countries are marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Philippines.
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