India-Philippines Strategic Partnership

India and the Philippines, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties, have announced a Strategic Partnership aimed at deepening cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade, science & technology, and regional affairs

Bilateral Milestones and Foundational Agreements

• Diplomatic History and Institutional Mechanisms
  • 1949: Establishment of diplomatic relations.
  • 1952: Treaty of Friendship signed.
  • 2000–2007: Key agreements include the MOU on Policy Consultation Talks, JCBC Agreement, and Framework of Bilateral Cooperation Declaration.
  • 2025: Adoption of Plan of Action (2025–2029) for Strategic Partnership.

Dimensions of the Strategic Partnership

• Political Cooperation
  • Institutionalization of regular dialogues: JCBC, Strategic Dialogues, Policy Consultations.
  • Focus on legislative exchanges, youth leadership, and comprehensive MOUs implementation.
• Defence, Security and Maritime Cooperation
  • Operationalization of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and JDILC.
  • Military training, tri-service coordination, and defence industry collaboration.
  • Strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), shipbuilding, and search & rescue (SAR) cooperation.
  • Recognition of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as a legally binding resolution mechanism.
• Economic and Trade Cooperation
  • Trade reached US$ 3.3 billion in 2024-25.
  • Expediting Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
  • Collaborations in EVs, AI, ICT, critical minerals, and infrastructure.
  • Ayurveda and traditional medicine exchange mechanisms.
• Science & Technology and Space Cooperation
  • Joint research in STI under DST-DOST cooperation (2025-28).
  • Peaceful uses of nuclear energy and outer space.
  • Agri-research, sustainable aquaculture, and ICT collaboration.
• Connectivity
  • Boosting air, maritime, digital and financial connectivity.
  • Launch of direct flights between capitals soon.
  • Strengthening e-governance and DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure).
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties
  • Visa-free travel to the Philippines for Indians and gratis e-tourist visas for Filipinos.
  • Promotion of tourism, academic, and media exchanges.
  • Expansion of ICCR scholarships and ITEC training.
• Regional and Multilateral Cooperation
  • Reinforcement of ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
  • Joint support for UNCLOS 1982, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific.
  • Climate action via ISA, CDRI, GBA, and Mission LiFE.
  • Global South advocacy via Voice of Global South Summit.

Strategic Relevance:

• Counterbalance to China in the South China Sea through legal, diplomatic, and defence engagements.
• Enhancing supply chain diversification and strategic autonomy in defence production.
• Leveraging complementarities in emerging technologies and digital public goods.

Challenges:

• Navigating sensitivities in regional geopolitics (e.g., Philippines-China maritime disputes).
• Synchronizing regulatory environments for trade and investment.

Way Forward

• Institutionalization and Monitoring: Establish a monitoring mechanism for the implementation of Plan of Action (2025–2029).
• Maritime Synergy: Strengthen operational-level coordination between navies and coast guards.
• Trade and PTA Finalization: Expedite the India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement with mutually beneficial terms.
• People-Centric Diplomacy: Promote cultural diplomacy, tourism exchanges, and academic collaborations.
• Regional Alignment: Leverage ASEAN platforms and enhance policy coordination on Indo-Pacific regional order.