President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. touched down in Manila early Monday following a working visit to India, where he positioned Southeast Asia as an essential partner in navigating global economic disruptions during the 18th BRICS Summit.
Arriving at 4:15 a.m., the President characterized his trip to New Delhi as a dual-purpose mission: advancing regional priorities as the current ASEAN chair and dialogue coordinator, while concurrently expanding bilateral cooperation between Manila and New Delhi.
Marcos emphasized that ASEAN’s inclusion at the summit highlighted the bloc’s growing influence on global economic matters, affirming the “ASEAN’s indispensable role in the wider global economic dialogue and in steering discussions that directly affect the prosperity and security of our region.”
“Speaking on behalf of nearly 700 million people across 11 dynamic Southeast Asian nations during the Summit’s open session with outreach countries, I articulated ASEAN’s open, inclusive and outward-looking posture. Guided by our Chairship theme, Navigating Our Future Together, I presented ASEAN’s practical pathways to weather external geopolitical and economic shocks through our three core priorities, peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors and people empowerment,” Marcos said.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Marcos met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review joint progress under the Philippines-India Strategic Partnership and its Five-Year Plan of Action for 2025–2029.
“Prime Minister Modi and I were satisfied that the Philippines and India are resolutely translating our Partnership Declaration into concrete work, progress and results in science and technology, digital cooperation, artificial intelligence, financial technology, creative industries, health and pharmaceuticals, railway development, space cooperation and stronger links between our two peoples,” Marcos reported.
The two leaders discussed pressing matters concerning regional security, economic stability, and Indo-Pacific affairs, committing to “joint and committed actions.”
As part of these discussions, Marcos highlighted the Philippines’ decision to join the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, an international initiative focused on fortifying essential facilities against worsening climate risks, while also pitching expanded investment opportunities for Indian companies operating in the Philippines.