New delhi: At least six agreements between the Philippines and India are expected to be signed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s five-day state visit to New Delhi, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. In a pre-departure briefing with Palace reporters, DFA Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq stated that the number of agreements could increase, covering more priority areas of cooperation.
According to Philippines News Agency, the areas of cooperation are broad, with plans to expand them further. Jimenez-Ducrocq mentioned, "We have, I think, accords of six agreements to be concluded. Though the working day is not yet over, so we expect, I think, more to come online." These agreements include cooperation in law, culture, science, and technology, among other sectors.
Marcos will embark on a state visit to India from Aug. 4 to 8 upon the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit is part of the year-long celebration of the two nations' 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Jimenez-Ducrocq noted that Marcos' itinerary includes stops in New Delhi and Bangalore.
The purpose of the visit is to strengthen the Philippines-India partnership and engage India in various aspects of the relationship, exploring opportunities for security, economic, science and technology, and people-to-people cooperation. The strategic and economic potentials of India are recognized, with hopes to open up future possibilities.
In New Delhi, Marcos will have meetings with Modi, Indian President Droupadi Murmu, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and current Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda. The BJP leads the National Democratic Alliance and is India's ruling and largest political party.
During his bilateral meeting with Modi, discussions will focus on closer cooperation in economic, defense, security, political cooperation, trade, investment, and invigorating people-to-people exchanges. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern.
Marcos will attend two business events in New Delhi and Bangalore. Several Indian CEOs have expressed interest in meeting with him, with many companies preparing to enter the Philippine market as investors. Some already have investments in the Philippines, with plans to expand further or reach out to new companies.
Additionally, Marcos will meet with the Filipino community upon his arrival in New Delhi on the afternoon of Aug. 4. He will also engage with the Indian media and deliver a foreign policy address at the Observer Research Foundation.
