DFA: Marcos to tackle 'wide-ranging' ties with India

The areas of cooperation to be discussed by the Philippines and India during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming state visit are expected to be wide-ranging, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a Palace briefing, Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs said six agreements are expected to be concluded during the visit.

“These agreements range from our cooperation in law, culture, science and technology, and many other areas,” she said. “As I said, the final count is still ongoing since the day has not ended.”

Meanwhile, the DFA official emphasized that part of the Philippines’ growing relationship with India involves boosting maritime cooperation activities, stressing that the Philippines is looking forward to deepening and expanding its relationship in this area.

When asked whether a reciprocal access agreement is possible with India, Ducrocq said,
“There are no talks on this matter for now.”

President Marcos is set to visit India from 4 to 8 August upon the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, conveyed in his Independence Day letter to Marcos last year.

The visit also marks part of the year-long celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India.

“The purpose of the visit is to further strengthen the Philippines-India partnership to proactively engage India in all aspects of the relations and seize opportunities for greater security, economic, science and technology, and people-to-people cooperation,” said Ducrocq.

Highlights of the President’s visit include stops in New Delhi and Bangalore.