Syllabus:
GS2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Context: The Philippines’ President is on a state visit to India from 4-8 August 2025.
Historical Background
- The diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949.
- Treaty of Friendship, 1952: Was signed between India and the Philippines to strengthen friendly relations and fortify cultural and economic ties.
- India delivered the first batch of the BrahMos missile system to the Philippines in 2024, making it the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system.
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s relations with the Philippines are an integral pillar of its “Act East” policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and its vision of the Indo-Pacific.
Key Highlights of the visit
- India to extend support on a pilot project for the setting up of the Philippines’ Sovereign Data Cloud Infrastructure.
- Invitation extended to the Philippines to participate in the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
- Gratis e-tourist visa facility extended to Filipino nationals for one year (from August 2025).
- Joint issuance of commemorative stamps to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of India-Philippines Diplomatic Relations.
- Adoption of Terms of Reference for the negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement between the Republic of India and the Republic of the Philippines.
- India and the Philippines sealed the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons, for the transfer of sentenced persons.
Significance for India and Philippine Relations
- Cultural Ties: Both nations pledged to boost cultural ties through exchanges, tourism, and programs like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, while strengthening cooperation in global forums on issues like climate change and terrorism.
- India also backed the Philippines’ role in initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Voice of the Global South Summit.
- Economic Ties: Will focus on boosting bilateral trade, which reached USD 3.3 billion in 2024-25, and concluding a Preferential Trade Agreement.
- Global Governance: Both countries advocate for reshaping multilateral institutions to better address 21st-century challenges such as climate change, technological shifts, and growing inequality.