India & Philippines Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership

PM Modi Calls for Enhancing Defence, Maritime Cooperation Between India, Philippines

- NIKHIL VYAS

Amid aggressive posturing by China in the South China Sea, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for enhancing defence and maritime cooperation between India and the Philippines as the two countries decided to elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and signed over 10 accords, including those on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and transfer of sentenced persons.

"It is a matter of happiness that today we have decided to give our relations the status of a Strategic Partnership. A comprehensive Action Plan has also been prepared to convert the potential of this partnership into results," the PM said at a joint media interaction with visiting Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr after official talks between them.

"India and the Philippines are friends by choice, and partners by destiny. From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past; it is a promise to the future," the PM said.

India and the Philippines have territorial disputes with China.

Emphasising that the Philippines is a significant partner in India's 'Act East Policy' and the 'Mahasagar' vision, the Indian leader said the two countries are committed to peace, security, growth and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.