India–Philippines Strategic Partnership

Recently, India and the Philippines elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership, signalling deeper defence, trade, and connectivity cooperation.

About India–Philippines Relations

• Shared interest: India–Philippines relations  are based on shared democratic values, maritime interests, and support for a rules-based Indo-Pacific order.
• Wide area of Cooperation: Cooperation spans humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue operations, reflecting shared regional security concerns.
• Priority of relation: The Philippines is a crucial partner under India’s Act East Policy and a bridge to ASEAN.
• Economic Relation: The bilateral trade between the countries reached USD 3.3 billion in 2024-25.
• Defence Cooperation: Philippines became the first international buyer of BrahMos Missile in 2022.
• The First Track-1 Maritime Dialogue was held in Manila in 2024.
• Capacity Building: Philippines is one of the major beneficiaries of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).
• Cultural Ties: India and the Philippines share historic and contemporary cultural linkages, reinforced through the renewal of their Cultural Exchange Programme (2019–2023) in 2019.
• The Indian diaspora  in the Philippines is estimated at around 70,000.
• 76 Years of Diplomatic Ties: Diplomatic ties, established in 1949, gained new momentum with their upgrade to a Strategic Partnership in 2025.
• • A detailed action plan has been prepared to transform this vision into concrete results as a Comprehensive Plan of action.

Comprehensive Plan of Action (2025–2029)

• Political Engagement: Strengthen ties through regular high-level exchanges, Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), Strategic Dialogue, and sectoral Joint Working Groups on trade, health, and counter-terrorism.
• Defence and Maritime Cooperation: Enhance collaboration via Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC), joint naval exercises, hydrography projects, and maritime security initiatives.
• Economic and Trade Integration: Conclude Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), boost trade beyond USD 3.3 billion (2024-25), and promote cooperation in critical minerals, renewable energy, and digital technologies.
• Science, Technology, and Connectivity: Advance joint research in space, nuclear energy, and agriculture; improve air links with direct Delhi–Manila flights; and support the Philippines Sovereign Data Cloud pilot project.
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Expand Cultural Exchange Programme, promote tourism through gratis e-tourist visas, and enhance training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
• Regional and Multilateral Cooperation: Support ASEAN Centrality, uphold 1982 UNCLOS and 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, and coordinate in global initiatives like International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.

Significance of Strategic Partnership between India–Philippines

• Strategic and Regional Stability: The partnership reinforces peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, supporting ASEAN Centrality and a rules-based order under UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award Countering China’s Assertiveness in the region.
  • The award affirmed the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in South China Sea.
• Defence and Maritime Cooperation: Joint mechanisms, naval exercises, and shipbuilding initiatives strengthen maritime security, defence technology collaboration, and humanitarian assistance to address shared regional security concerns.
• Economic and Digital Integration: Bilateral trade of USD 3.3 billion (2024–25) is set to expand through a Preferential Trade Agreement, digital innovation, critical minerals, and renewable energy cooperation.
• Connectivity and Cultural Linkages: Direct flights, free e-tourist visas, and cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges deepen people-to-people ties, complementing maritime and digital connectivity projects.
• Multilateral and Global Cooperation: Both nations align on climate action, counter-terrorism, and sustainable development, with India supporting the Philippines in initiatives like the International Solar Alliance.