Philippines President to meet PM Modi, boost strategic ties

AGENDA INCLUDES ECONOMIC, TOURISM TIES AND MARITIME COOPERATION

- BY JAY HILOTIN Senior Assistant Editor

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. embarked for a significant five-day state visit to India yesterday.

Leaving at around 10:44am, the trip marks an important milestone in the growing relationship between the Philippines and India.

In his pre-departure statement, President Marcos underscored the deep maritime ties and shared strategic interests between the two Asian coastal powers.

“Our geostrategic position as coastal states that border the busiest international trade routes and critical sea lines of communication in the Indo-Pacific region, our shared interest in protecting the rights and welfare of our international seafarers, our steadfastness in upholding international maritime law, including UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, and our unwavering commitment to regional peace and cooperation serve as credible foundations of our active and growing maritime cooperation,” he said.