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Marcos in India on first state visit day after joint maritime drill near South China Sea
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), at the House of Representatives, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 28, 2025. File Image/Reuters
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos embarks on a four-day visit to India today, coinciding with both nations launching their first joint maritime drills in the contentious South China Sea. What makes the visit significant is the fact that this is Marcos's first state visit to India.
Philippine authorities noted that Marcos's trip would aim to deepen diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries at a time when uncertainties have taken over the international arena. The trip through Friday comes at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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During his four-day visit, Marcos Jr will hold talks with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Health Minister J P Nadda. He will meet the external affairs minister on August 4, and on the next day, he will be laying a wreath at Raj Ghat before holding bilateral talks with the PM in Heydrabad House.
India, Philippines launch monumental Maritime Drills
It is pertinent to note that the Philippine president's visit to New Delhi comes as his country conducts its first joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea, amid growing Chinese aggression in the region. The joint drills, dubbed 'maritime cooperative activity,' will be held starting Aug. 3 as visiting Indian naval ships depart Manila harbour.
'This historic visit of the Indian naval ships and the upcoming maiden maritime cooperation activity collectively set a positive tone for the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to India next week, underscoring the deepening partnership and expanding cooperation between our two nations,' said Philippine national security officials, diplomats, defense attaches, and other guests, at a reception aboard the INS Shakti (A57) on July 31.
The Indian Navy ships guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D61), fleet tanker INS Shakti and anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan (P30) were docked in Manila on July 30 for a port visit. Meanwhile, Surveillance ship INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) arrived in the Philippine capital on August 1.
'The visit of the Indian naval ships to the Philippines is a powerful testament to the enduring friendship and growing maritime cooperation between the two countries. It also symbolises our shared commitment to the freedom of navigation and a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region,' Jain said.
In light of this, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. described the upcoming 'coordinated patrol' as 'a clear demonstration of our mutual resolve to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold the law of the sea.' It is important to note that the island nation has carried out similar patrols with the United States, Australia, Japan, France and Canada.
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'As we stand watch over a region vital to global trade and security, we do not do so in isolation, but in partnership with nations who share our values,' General Brawner Jr averred. Defence ties between India and the Philippines have been strong for decades. This can be reflected by the fact that the Philippines was the first overseas customer to receive the BrahMos missile system from India for a contract worth $374.9 million in January 2022.
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