President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday vowed to deepen the bilateral ties between India and the Philippines.

Marcos made the commitment a day after he spoke over the phone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who congratulated him for his election as the 17th President of the Philippines.

“Nagagalak naman tayo na makausap sa telepono ang punong ministro na si (I am glad to have talked to) Narendra Modi. Tiyak natin na mas iigting ang ating magandang relasyon sa bansang (I’m sure it will mean improved relations with) India,” Marcos said in an Instagram and Facebook post.

During the phone conversation, the two leaders reviewed various areas of bilateral engagement and “expressed satisfaction at the rapid growth of cooperation between the two countries in recent years,” according to the press statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Modi also committed to support the development programs of the Philippines under the Marcos administration.

“The Prime Minister also assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of India’s full support in his plans and projects for the Philippines’ development,” it read. (PNA)