President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concluded a highly productive week marked by a successful five-day State Visit to India that yielded significant milestones in strengthening the Philippines’ partnership and USD5.8 billion potential investments with one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
President Marcos’ State Visit to India yielded actual direct investments worth USD 446 million and potential investments reaching up to USD 5.8 billion in key sectors, including digital infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT-BPM.
The President stressed that the key agreements are expected to generate over 4,000 direct jobs and provide digital training to more than 26,000 Filipinos by 2026, fueling a major boost to the nation’s economic growth.
“Karaoke diplomacy”
Upon arriving in New Delhi on August 4, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. immediately met with the Filipino community, honoring the contributions and sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to programs that safeguard their welfare and rights.
The lively gathering turned festive as Cabinet secretaries joined OFWs in spirited karaoke sing-alongs, belting out beloved Original Pilipino Music (OPM) classics.
The event set a warm and celebratory tone for the President’s State Visit, blending diplomacy with genuine camaraderie, which the Chief Executive described as “Karaoke diplomacy.”
Boost cooperation in key sectors
On August 5, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos received a grand ceremonial welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a solemn tribute at Raj Ghat to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring legacy.
The historic day continued with a high-level meeting at Hyderabad House, where President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi sealed the elevation of Philippine-India relations to a Strategic Partnership that paves the way for deeper cooperation in emerging and critical sectors, including digital technology, renewable energy, healthcare, defense, trade, and space exploration.
Signing of 13 landmark agreements
President Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the signing of 13 landmark agreements spanning defense and maritime cooperation, legal assistance, science and technology, tourism, digital innovation, space research, and cultural exchange.
The President lauded India’s lifting of its export ban on non-basmati rice, underscoring its vital role in bolstering Philippine food security, while affirming shared values and strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi, in turn, announced free e-visas for Filipino tourists — a reciprocal gesture to Manila’s visa-free policy for Indian nationals — signaling a new era of strengthened bilateral engagement.
Boosting connectivity and cultural ties
President Marcos announced the resumption of direct flights between the Philippines and India starting October, a key move to boost tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties, alongside the unveiling of a commemorative stamp featuring the sampaguita and lotus to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
The President also met with Bharatiya Janata Party Chair and Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda to explore health sector collaboration, focusing on sharing best practices and innovative solutions to improve Philippine healthcare.
Capping the day with a meeting and state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, President Marcos hailed his State Visit as “one of the most productive and constructive,” confident that the Strategic Partnership will unlock new avenues for cooperation and development.
Strengthening business and investment links
On August 6, President Marcos led the Philippines-India CEO Roundtable at the Taj Mahal Hotel, bringing together 17 top executives from both nations’ key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, healthcare, digital services, and manufacturing.
In his keynote, the President reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to a business-friendly climate through major economic reforms, declaring, “Our investment environment is the most open and liberal that it has ever been,” as he invited Indian firms to invest.
President Marcos also met with GMR Group executives, partners in the US$3–4 billion Sangley Aerocity Project in Cavite, a flagship venture set to create thousands of jobs, boost revenues, and advance the country’s infrastructure agenda.
Protecting farmers
Even while in India, President Marcos addressed issues back home, ordering a 60-day suspension of rice imports starting September 1, on the recommendation of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. The order was meant to protect local farmers from falling palay prices caused by a global rice surplus and influx of cheaper imports.
Advancing foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific
Wrapping up his visit to New Delhi before proceeding to Bengaluru, President Marcos delivered a key foreign policy address at a forum hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), urging stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific region to collaborate in upholding the established rules-based international order amid growing regional and global challenges.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of upholding international law, strengthening maritime security, and deepening cooperation between ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and inclusive growth.
Tapping Bengaluru’s innovation and tech expertise
On August 7, President Marcos Jr. traveled to Bengaluru, India’s tech and innovation hub, where he headlined the Philippines-India Business Forum and witnessed the signing of 18 MOUs and LOIs, securing major investments in renewable energy, healthcare, education, IT-BPM, digital services, and manufacturing, with potential investments reaching up to USD 5.8 billion in key sectors.
The President highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to an investment-friendly climate through structural reforms, transparent policies, and strategic collaboration in sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, energy transition, and digital innovation.
President Marcos also held high-level meetings with senior executives from Hinduja Group, NephroPlus, iSON Group, and Tata Group, advancing partnerships in digital transformation, healthcare, and sustainable economic growth.
Before heading home on August 8, the President held a Kapihan forum with Philippine media covering his trip, where he provided a comprehensive summary of his five-day State Visit. | PND
