New Delhi, India — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his inaugural visit to India is a reaffirmation of the partnership that the Phillippines have with India as well as regional relations.

“I think it is a reaffirmation of the alliance and the partnership that we are strengthening,” Marcos said.

Marcos emphasized that the evolution of the region, transforming from Asia-Pacific to the Indo-Pacific region is vital to the understanding of the global nature of politics, trade and economy.

The President will engage in a series of high-level meetings with the Indian leadership which will focus on defense, trade and investment, health, tourism, as well as other areas.