New delhi: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, as he formally commenced his state visit engagements in India. Marcos was accorded arrival honors and was formally welcomed by President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the start of a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized that his visit serves as a reaffirmation of the longstanding alliance and partnership between the Philippines and India. He noted the shift in regional terminology from the Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific, reflecting the global nature of politics, trade, and the economy. Marcos expressed his intent to build upon existing relations while exploring new opportunities that have emerged over the past two years due to technological advancements and changes in the global economic and geopolitical landscape.

Following their discussions, President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi are set to present newly signed agreements between the Philippines and India to the media. This engagement represents the second day of Marcos' five-day visit, which aims to deepen ties with India through the establishment of a new strategic partnership.

On the previous day, President Marcos announced plans to elevate the bilateral relations between the Philippines and India to a strategic partnership, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. After concluding his engagements in New Delhi, President Marcos will travel to Bangalore, India's technology hub, to engage with business leaders and further explore economic opportunities.