President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday welcomed the intention to elevate the ties between the Philippines and India the bilateral relations amid the current geopolitical condition.
Receiving Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in a Palace courtesy call, President Marcos hoped the two countries could continue strengthening relations.
Last November marked the 75th anniversary of the two nations’ diplomatic relations.
“The interactions between India and the Philippines have certainly increased in the past few years. And certainly we would like to continue that closeness,” the President told Margherita.
“Well, the plan to elevate the bilateral relations is very interestingbecause in terms of geopolitical issues. Whereas we used to speak of Pacific or Asia Pacific. It’s now Indo-Pacific. And that’s why I think that the alliances and the partnerships that we make become more and more important.”
Margherita said he wants to convey to the Chief Executive the respect from the people of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“On behalf of ( the Indian people and Prime Minister), I am here to convey our deep regards to the great nation of the Philippines and to you. It is a milestone that we have to mark our 75th year of diplomatic relations of our great nations,,” he said.
The Philippines and India established formal diplomatic relations on November 16, 1949.
In 2023, total trade with India reached US$3.08 billion, with exports valued at US$1.1 billion and imports at 1.98 billion.
India ranked as the Philippines’ 15th top trading partner.
There are 53 signed agreements between the Philippines and India in the fields of trade, investment, science and technology, maritime, air services, taxation, culture, energy, agriculture, and defense, among others. (PND)
