Philippines And India Strengthen Bilateral Ties for Enhanced Cooperation And Strategic Partnership

Philippines-India Boost Strategic Ties in 2025 - Historical Context of India-Philippines Relations

India and the Philippines formally established diplomatic relations on November 16, 1949, shortly after gaining independence from colonial rule. Initially focused on economic cooperation, their relationship has grown into a multifaceted partnership encompassing defense, security, and cultural exchanges. India's Look East Policy, launched in 1992, and the subsequent Act East Policy, initiated in 2014, have significantly deepened engagement with Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines. These policies have fostered a strong foundation for the robust bilateral ties observed today, with both countries sharing values of democracy, anti-colonialism, and South-South cooperation.

Key Developments in 2025

The year 2025 has been a landmark year for India-Philippines relations, marked by several significant events. In August 2025, the Indian and Philippine navies conducted their first joint exercise in the West Philippine Sea, a historic step toward enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability. This exercise involved key naval assets, including the Philippines' BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal, and India's INS Delhi, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti, signaling a shared commitment to regional stability. 🛳️

Additionally, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit India from August 4-8, 2025, to hold discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agenda includes strengthening trade and defense relations, reflecting the strategic importance of this partnership. Earlier in the year, from January 13-15, 2025, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Pabitra Margherita, visited the Philippines to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, further highlighting the deepening political and cultural ties.

Another notable development is the expected establishment of direct air connectivity between India and the Philippines in 2025, following the ratification of the Air Services Agreement in June 2023. This initiative is poised to enhance trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, further solidifying bilateral ties. ✈️

Case Study: First Joint Naval Exercise in the West Philippine Sea

A compelling example of the enhanced strategic partnership between India and the Philippines is their first joint naval exercise, conducted in August 2025 within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea. This exercise involved ships from both navies, including the Philippines' BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal, and India's INS Delhi, INS Kiltan, and INS Shakti. The primary objectives were to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance interoperability, and assert freedom of navigation in contested waters. ⚓

The exercise was a symbolic counter to regional tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, where both nations share concerns about maintaining a rules-based order. It included joint maneuvers, communication drills, and expert exchanges, fostering greater coordination between the two navies. Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy, emphasized the commitment to maritime security and stability during the exercise. This case study illustrates how India and the Philippines are translating their strategic alignment into tangible cooperation, reinforcing their roles in the Indo-Pacific region.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines has shown consistent growth, reflecting the economic potential of their partnership. According to official data from the Department of Commerce, Government of India, bilateral trade reached US$3.53 billion in 2023-24, a significant increase from US$1.89 billion in 2015-16. In 2024, India's exports to the Philippines were valued at US$2.2 billion, while imports from the Philippines stood at US$2.35 billion. Key sectors driving this trade include machinery, electrical equipment, agricultural products, and leather goods. 📈

The chart above illustrates the steady growth in bilateral trade, with a notable increase in recent years. The ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement, fully implemented in 2011, has played a crucial role in facilitating this growth. Additionally, the anticipated direct air connectivity in 2025 is expected to further boost trade and tourism, creating new opportunities for economic collaboration. For instance, the Philippines exports products like coconut, bananas, and pineapples to India, while India supplies machinery and pharmaceuticals to the Philippines, highlighting their complementary economic strengths.

Defense and Security Cooperation

Defense ties between India and the Philippines have seen remarkable progress in 2025, driven by shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region. A significant milestone is the Philippines' acquisition of BrahMos missile systems from India, with the second batch delivered in April 2025. This deal enhances the Philippines' deterrence capabilities and marks India's first export of the advanced cruise missile, co-developed with Russia. The BrahMos deal underscores the growing defense-industrial cooperation between the two nations. 🛡️

The first joint naval exercise in August 2025 further exemplifies this cooperation. Conducted in the West Philippine Sea, the exercise aimed to enhance maritime security and interoperability, addressing common challenges in the South China Sea. Additionally, the Philippines is exploring the expansion of the Squad grouping—an informal multilateral alliance including Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States—to include India and South Korea. This move reflects the Philippines' push for a multi-aligned foreign policy to counter regional security challenges.

Regular dialogues, such as the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), have also strengthened defense ties. During the fifth JCBC meeting in June 2023, India reiterated its support for the Philippines' maritime security efforts, including a defense line of credit. These developments highlight the strategic convergence between India and the Philippines in promoting a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges

Cultural exchanges and people-to-people connections form a vital pillar of India-Philippines relations. The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, celebrated in 2025, has been marked by significant cultural initiatives. The visit of India's Minister of State for External Affairs to the Philippines in January 2025 included events to promote cultural understanding, such as art exhibitions and workshops. For example, a mandala workshop for Filipinos in India was held in March 2025, showcasing shared cultural heritage. 🎨

A key development in 2025 is the removal of visa requirements for Indian tourists visiting the Philippines, effective since June 8, 2025. This policy has led to a 12% increase in Indian tourist arrivals in 2024, with nearly 80,000 visitors, fostering greater cultural exchange. Additionally, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation, signed in 2019, has facilitated joint working group meetings, with the second meeting held in Manila on May 21, 2024. These efforts are expected to further strengthen people-to-people ties, enhancing mutual understanding and goodwill.

Future Prospects for India-Philippines Relations

Looking ahead, India and the Philippines have significant opportunities to deepen their strategic partnership. Key areas for future cooperation include maritime security, trade and investment, sustainable development, and cultural and educational exchanges. Both nations share a commitment to maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. By aligning their foreign policies and leveraging their complementary strengths, India and the Philippines can play a pivotal role in promoting regional stability and prosperity. The potential inclusion of India in the Squad grouping, as well as ongoing defense and trade collaborations, positions this partnership as a cornerstone of regional cooperation. 🌟

Sources

Embassy of India, Manila
India-Philippines Relations - Wikipedia
Trading Economics - India Exports to Philippines
Trading Economics - Philippines Imports from India
Reuters - Philippines Eyes Expansion of Squad Group
Reuters - Philippines to Receive BrahMos Missiles

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Conclusion

The strategic partnership between India and the Philippines has reached new heights in 2025, driven by significant advancements in defense cooperation, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. The first joint naval exercise in August 2025 and the upcoming state visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscore the commitment of both nations to deepen their bilateral ties. As they navigate the complexities of the Indo-Pacific region, India and the Philippines are well-positioned to contribute to regional stability and prosperity through their strengthened partnership. 🌏