India and the Philippines recently elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, marking a milestone in both nations’ diplomatic trajectories. This development, anchored in shared democratic values and regional strategic interests, spans defence, trade, connectivity, and digital cooperation.
1. Defence & Maritime Security: Anchoring Regional Stability
Defence collaboration has emerged as the linchpin of the partnership. In 2022, the Philippines procured BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India—India’s first major missile export to Southeast Asia. The state visit by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to New Delhi in August 2025 witnessed the signing of terms of reference for structured engagement between the armies, navies, air forces, and coast guards of both nations.
In a symbolic display of naval coordination, India and the Philippines conducted their first joint naval sail in the South China Sea, with Indian vessels including INS Delhi, INS Shakti, and INS Kiltan operating alongside Philippine frigates. The exercise drew attention from Chinese naval units shadowing the deployment, underscoring its geopolitical sensitivity. India is also in discussions to assist the Philippines with submarine infrastructure development.
Additionally, both countries reaffirmed support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling favouring the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute an explicit nod to a rules-based order under UNCLOS.
2. Economic & Trade Cooperation: Building Complementary Growth
Bilateral trade has seen robust growth, climbing from approximately USD 2.03 billion in 2020–21 to over USD 3.5 billion in recent years. Indian exports—pharmaceuticals (accounting for about 12–20% of Philippine imports), engineering goods, and auto parts—complement Philippine exports such as semiconductors, copper, and machinery.
Both nations are now negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to further streamline and deepen commercial engagement. Strategic cooperation extends to renewable energy, critical minerals, fintech, and infrastructure. For instance, the Philippines, a major producer of nickel, has invited Indian participation in its nickel value chain—an opportunity for supply-chain realignment.
3. Connectivity, Tourism & People-to-People Links
Efforts to foster closer cultural and physical connections include visa facilitation and direct flight links. The Philippines offers visa-free entry to Indian tourists, while India provides free e-visas to Filipinos, with direct Delhi–Manila flights set to launch by the end of 2025.
These measures are expected to boost not only tourism but also business travel, enhancing mutual familiarity and economic collaboration.
4. Digital Infrastructure & Legal Frameworks: Laying Foundations for Long-Term Cooperation
The partnership also embraces digital sovereignty. India is assisting the Philippines in setting up a Sovereign Data Cloud and has invited Manila to join the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) for improved maritime security and data cooperation.
Institutional ties were strengthened with treaties on mutual legal assistance, the transfer of sentenced persons, and cooperation in space technologies, science, tourism, and STEM capacities.
5. Strategic & Regional Significance: Beyond Bilateral Gains
The elevation to a Strategic Partnership serves both countries’ strategic calculus. For India, it aligns with its Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision, enhancing its engagement in ASEAN and the global Indo-Pacific order. For the Philippines, it reinforces its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defence Concept (CADC) and bolsters its resilience against regional territorial assertiveness.
Collectively, this partnership forms a proactive step toward maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, underpinned by respect for international law and multilateralism.
Conclusion
In elevating their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, India and the Philippines have laid the groundwork for a forward-looking, multi-dimensional alliance. Anchored in shared democratic values, maritime security, economic synergy, and technological collaboration, this pact not only fortifies bilateral ties but also contributes meaningfully to the stability and order of the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Sources:
- https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-philippines-relations-elevated-to-strategic-partnership
- https://www.reuters.com/world/china/philippines-india-hold-first-joint-sail-south-china-sea-2025-08-04
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-sharpens-strategic-play-in-chinas-backyard/articleshow/123143433.cms
- https://manufacturing.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/india-and-philippines-enhance-ties-through-collaboration-in-energy-maritime-security-and-ai-manalo/119246435
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/philippines-grants-visa-free-entry-to-indians-as-pm-modi-promises-more-direct-flights/articleshow/123114951.cms
- https://www.insightsonindia.com/2025/08/06/india-philippines-strategic-partnership
- https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/37000-declaration-on-establishment-of-a-strategic-partnership-between-the-government-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-and-the-government-of-the-republic-of-india
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