Philippines President to Visit India Amid Rising Tensions with China; Bilateral Naval Drills Underway

New Delhi, Aug 3 — In a move signaling growing strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific, Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr will embark on a four-day state visit to India starting August 4. The high-level engagement comes against the backdrop of increasing regional friction with China and coincides with the first-ever bilateral naval exercises between India and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

The joint naval drill began Saturday near the contested Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint in the ongoing maritime dispute between the Philippines and China. India, which has consistently expressed concerns over China’s aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific, is now enhancing its defence footprint in the region through stronger ties with like-minded nations.

India and the Philippines share a growing defence partnership, notably marked by the delivery of the first batch of BrahMos supersonic missile systems to Manila in April 2024. The Philippines holds the distinction of being the first country to acquire the BrahMos missile from India, underlining the strategic depth of their military cooperation.

During his visit, President Marcos Jr will engage in wide-ranging talks with Indian leadership, including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Health Minister J.P. Nadda. His principal diplomatic engagements will take place on August 5, starting with a ceremonial tribute at Raj Ghat, followed by bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House. The two countries are expected to sign multiple agreements aimed at boosting cooperation in defence, health, technology, and maritime security.

President Marcos Jr will also travel to Karnataka on August 7, extending the visit beyond formal diplomacy to promote deeper regional and economic engagement.

The visit carries added significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines, first established in November 1949. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this milestone visit reflects the growing convergence of both nations on strategic, economic, and regional issues.

India views its partnership with the Philippines as a crucial element of its “Act East” policy, its Vision MAHASAGAR, and broader Indo-Pacific strategy. The MEA said the visit presents an opportunity for both sides to chart a stronger course for bilateral relations and coordinate on shared regional challenges, particularly in the face of China’s expanding assertiveness in Asia.