Defense, security at the core of Philippines–India deals

17 hours ago 3
Suniway Group of Companies Inc.

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com

August 5, 2025 | 6:57pm

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi deliver their statements during a joint press conference at Hyberbad House in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.The leaders also witness the presentation and exchange of bilateral agreements between their respective Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers. Another highlight of the event is the unveiling of a commemorative stamp, which marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India.

Noel B. Pabalate / PPA Pool

NEW DELHI, India — Defense and security took up a good chunk of the agreements made between the Philippines and India on Tuesday, August 5. 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi oversaw the exchange of 13 different agreements: six of which tackle defense and security. 

The Philippine and Indian militaries have agreed on three separate terms of reference for dialogue—one each for their navy, army and air force.

“We concurred that we should be accompanied with intensified dialogue and exchanges between our defense establishments. So we have agreed to establish a mechanism for service-to-service talks, for information sharing, and training exchanges amongst our militaries. We will foster Naval and Coast Guard interoperability via port calls in cooperative activities and capacity building in the maritime domain,” Marcos said in his speech. 

Both the Philippines and India see eye to eye on the West Philippine Sea, a region that has seen repeated incursions by China. The two countries have each faced past tensions with China along their respective borders.

India has expressed support for the Philippines’ maritime claims, even participating in joint patrols in the disputed waters.

“We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws,” Modi said in Hindi, as interpreted through Google Translate.  

Aside from the military agreements, the Philippines and India also sealed a deal on increased cooperation between the two countries’ coast guards, doubling down on the recent joint patrols they held in the West Philippine Sea. 

Modi called the Philippines an important partner in the Act East Policy, which is India’s bid for increased influence and partnership in the region. 

India and the Philippines have also settled a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons between the two countries. This means that Filipinos who commit a crime in India can finish their sentence in the Philippines, and vice versa. 

The two countries have also agreed to trade legal assistance in criminal matters. 

“The agreements signed today on Mutual Legal Assistance and Transfer of Sentenced Persons will further strengthen our security partnership,” Modi said. 

Read Entire Article