India-Philippines Relations: Deepening Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (Bilateral relations, groupings like ASEAN, Quad), Defence (BrahMos missile, Joint Exercises), Geography (South China Sea, Indo-Pacific region).
Mains: GS Paper 2 (India and its neighborhood- relations; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests).
Key Highlights from the News
Key Agreement: During the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India, both countries signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement. This marks a significant step in bilateral relations.
Defence Cooperation:
The Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy conducted their first joint naval exercise in the South China Sea.
The Philippines is the first foreign country to purchase India's BrahMos missile. They also expressed interest in purchasing more defence equipment.
Diplomatic Stance:
India consistently supports the 2016 UNCLOS tribunal award, which rejected China's claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines commended this stance.
India is only the fifth Strategic Partner of the Philippines, which increases the importance of this relationship.
Economic Relations:
Although bilateral trade between the two countries is currently low ($3.3 billion), investments are increasing.
Both countries discussed initiating a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
ASEAN Context:
The Philippines will hold the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026. The Philippines is also the coordinator for ASEAN-India relations.
This visit will also help improve relations by addressing India's concerns regarding the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA).
Broader Message: This partnership strengthens India's Act East Policy. It also sends a message that India is interested in strengthening relations with countries outside the Quad in the Indo-Pacific region.
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