New Delhi : Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, participating in his capacity as the current Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He was received by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel.
President Marcos Jr.’s participation at the BRICS Summit provides an opportunity for India and the Philippines to further strengthen their growing bilateral partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The Philippines is an important partner for India in the Indo-Pacific, with both countries working to expand cooperation in areas including defence and maritime security, trade, investment, connectivity and emerging technologies.
India’s engagement with the Philippines is also part of its broader ‘Act East’ policy, which places ASEAN at the centre of India’s economic, strategic and diplomatic outreach to Southeast Asia. India and ASEAN maintain a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with cooperation focused on trade and investment, maritime security, connectivity, digital transformation, supply-chain resilience and a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
President Marcos Jr.’s presence at the BRICS Summit, representing ASEAN as its current chair, also highlights the growing convergence between India, ASEAN and the wider Global South on issues of economic development, regional stability and multilateral cooperation.
The visit is expected to provide further momentum to India-Philippines relations while strengthening India’s engagement with ASEAN and reinforcing its commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and connected Indo-Pacific region.