President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed his intent to enhance the Philippines’ bilateral ties with India amid political challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region.

This was after Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita made a courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

“We plan to elevate the bilateral relations. It’s actually very interesting and important because in terms of geopolitical issues, as it were, we used to speak of the Pacific, or Asia-Pacific, it’s now Indo-Pacific,” Marcos told Margherita.

Margherita underscored the importance of his visit to Manila, acknowledging the 75 years of India’s diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

He also conveyed India’s “love and respect” for the Philippines.

“It’s a very important year. It’s a milestone that we have marked 75 years of our diplomatic relations with the Philippines,” Margherita said.

Margherita’s visit to the Philippines comes in the wake of the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation chaired by Indonesian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2023.

During his stay in the country, Margherita is expected to pay floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, known as the “Father of the Indian Nation” at Miriam College in Manila.

He would also meet with members of the Indian diaspora in the Philippines.

His visit also coincides with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines bilateral relations.

The visit aims to sustain India’s strong and close ties with the Philippines, as part of India’s Act East Policy and vision of the Indo-Pacific.

The Philippines and India formally established diplomatic relations on Nov. 26, 1949, after Manila and New Delhi gained independence in 1946 and 1947, respectively. (PNA)