PBBM in Official State visit to India

-Gillian Paul Abayon

On Monday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Kicked off his five-day official visit to India, after an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The President expresses that he hopes the meeting between two world leaders will lead to a stronger strategic partnership particularly in defense, trade, maritime security, and technology.

The invitation of Indian PM Modi and marks the culmination of a year long celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India.

“India has been a long-valued friend of the Philippines.” The President said in his speech before his departure at Villamor Air Base.

“Our bilateral relations have seen stable and comprehensive growth, extending across public and private sectors”. The President added.

India is the largest democracy, and The Philippines is the oldest Constitutional Republic in Asia, both world leaders seek for a share democratic ideals and a commitment to a rules-based international order.

“Our geostrategic positions as coastal states that border the busiest international trade routes in the Indo-Pacific region provide a credible foundation for active and growing maritime cooperation”. Said by PBBM.

A stronger defense program between The Philippines and India is needed as tensions rises within the Indo-Pacific Region due to an aggressive China and its illegal claims in the West Philippine sea, and its border clashes with India.