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Pia Lee-Brago – The Philippine Star
August 12, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines can look forward to expanded naval engagements and joint training with India after the bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a strategic partnership, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said yesterday.
He said the state visit of President Marcos to India marked a pivotal moment in Philippine foreign and security policy. Marcos and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally elevated bilateral relations to a Philippines-India Strategic Partnership, supported by a multi-sectoral Plan of Action covering 2025–2029.
“This milestone reflects our shared commitment to regional stability, economic resilience and a rules-based international order,” Año said in a statement.
The strategic partnership builds upon 75 years of diplomatic ties and expands cooperation across defense, maritime security, trade, infrastructure, digital technology, space, culture and tourism.
“It is a clear demonstration of the Philippines’ resolve to work with like-minded partners in safeguarding peace and advancing prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.
An initial outcome of this strengthened partnership was the first-ever Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippine Navy and the Indian Navy, conducted from Aug. 3 to 4 within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Año explained that this operation enhances interoperability, promotes maritime domain awareness and reinforces the Philippines’ capacity to protect sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, particularly in the West Philippine Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
He said India has long been a trusted partner in defense cooperation.
“Through this strategic partnership, we look forward to expanded naval engagements, joint training, technology exchanges and collaboration in addressing emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and capability building, including ongoing discussions on submarine infrastructure development,” he noted.
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