New delhi: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday that the Philippines and India are set to enhance interoperability between their naval and coast guard forces under a newly established Strategic Partnership. The announcement was made during a joint press statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, highlighting efforts to bolster bilateral ties.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos is currently on a five-day state visit to India aimed at strengthening cooperation in various areas, including defense, economy, and regional security. As part of this initiative, the two countries have signed 13 new agreements under the Strategic Partnership, three of which focus on institutionalizing regular military-to-military dialogue and cooperation. These include Terms of Reference between the Indian and Philippine Navy, Air Force, and Army, respectively.
President Marcos expressed satisfaction with the ongoing defense modernization of the Philippines and acknowledged India's growing defense capabilities and indigenous industry, citing the BrahMos missile projects as a successful collaboration. In 2022, the Philippines acquired three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variants of the BrahMos system in a USD375 million deal, with the first batch arriving in April 2024 to enhance the country's deterrence capabilities.
President Marcos also took the opportunity to thank India for its role in rescuing Filipino seafarers after a Houthi rebel attack in 2024, emphasizing the significance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations share common interests in maintaining a secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific, a sentiment echoed by Marcos who highlighted the persistent territorial challenges posed by China.
The Philippines has been diversifying its defense partnerships amidst ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels have repeatedly violated Philippine waters. The Marcos administration remains firm on asserting the country's sovereign rights, supported by the 2016 arbitral ruling against China's expansive claims. India, too, faces territorial disputes with China along their shared Himalayan border, further complicating relations between the two countries.
President Marcos concluded by underscoring the importance of the Strategic Partnership with India, noting that India has become only the fifth strategic partner of the Philippines. He emphasized that this partnership reflects the growing and deepening relations between the two countries, with shared stakes in regional peace, stability, and cooperation.
