India and the Philippines establish a Strategic Partnership during President Marcos's State Visit
India and the Philippines established a Strategic Partnership on 5 August 2025 in New Delhi during the State Visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (4–8 August), marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Summary
The India–Philippines Strategic Partnership was declared on 5 August 2025 after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who was on a State Visit to India from 4 to 8 August 2025. The declaration celebrates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (established in 1949), recalls the Treaty of Friendship of 11 July 1952, says the partnership is guided by the Plan of Action (2025-2029), and reiterates strong support for ASEAN Centrality. Thirteen documents were listed as outcomes, including staff-talk terms of reference for the three services, treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and on Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and an ISRO–Philippine Space Agency Statement of Intent. Announcements included a gratis e-tourist visa for Filipino nationals for one year from August 2025, an invitation to join the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) and terms of reference for negotiating a Preferential Trade Agreement.
Key facts
- Date
- 5 Aug 2025, New Delhi (State Visit 4–8 Aug)
- Leaders
- PM Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
- Anniversary
- 75 years of diplomatic relations (since 1949)
- Treaty of Friendship
- 11 July 1952
- Roadmap
- Plan of Action (2025-2029)
- Outcomes
- 13 documents incl. MLA and sentenced-persons treaties
- Space
- ISRO–Philippine Space Agency Statement of Intent
- Announcements
- Gratis e-tourist visa for 1 year; IFC-IOR invitation; PTA negotiation ToR; Sovereign Data Cloud pilot; joint stamp
Practice MCQs 5 questions
During the State Visit of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in August 2025, India and the Philippines elevated their ties to which level?
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Correct answer: B — Strategic Partnership
On 5 August 2025, the two countries signed a Declaration establishing a Strategic Partnership between India and the Philippines.
The India–Philippines Strategic Partnership established in August 2025 is guided by a Plan of Action covering which period?
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Correct answer: D — 2025-2029
The declaration states that the Strategic Partnership is guided by the Plan of Action (2025-2029), adopted on 5 August 2025.
Consider the following statements about the India–Philippines Strategic Partnership declaration of August 2025: 1. It marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in 1949, and recalls the Treaty of Friendship signed on 11 July 1952. 2. It reiterates both countries' strong support for ASEAN Centrality. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The declaration celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations established in 1949, emphasises the Treaty of Friendship of 11 July 1952, and reiterates strong support for ASEAN Centrality.
Consider the following statements about the outcomes of the Philippine President's State Visit to India in August 2025: 1. India extended a gratis e-tourist visa facility to Filipino nationals for one year from August 2025. 2. India and the Philippines signed a Free Trade Agreement during the visit. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: a gratis e-tourist visa facility was extended to Filipino nationals for one year from August 2025. Statement 2 is incorrect: the two sides only adopted Terms of Reference for negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement.
During the Philippine President's visit in August 2025, a Statement of Intent on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space was signed between the Philippine Space Agency and which Indian body?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Space Research Organisation
The list of outcomes includes a Statement of Intent between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Philippine Space Agency on cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space.