India occupies a “prominent and impactful place” in the Philippines’ foreign policy, Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F Ignacio said on Friday, highlighting the growing depth of bilateral ties marked by expanding trade, defence cooperation and the recent elevation of relations to a strategic partnership.

Speaking at a diplomatic reception in New Delhi to commemorate the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence, the envoy said ties between the two countries have witnessed steady growth across multiple sectors and are now stronger than ever.

“Our political relations have never been stronger,” Ambassador Ignacio said, referring to the decision by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and PM Modi to elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during President Marcos’ visit to India in August last year.

According to the envoy, India is only the fifth country with which the Philippines has established such a partnership, underscoring New Delhi’s significance in Manila’s foreign policy priorities.

Trade And Defence Cooperation Continue To Expand

Ambassador Ignacio said bilateral trade between the two countries has consistently reached new highs and currently stands at nearly USD 4 billion.

He also highlighted the growing defence relationship between New Delhi and Manila, noting that cooperation now extends beyond defence equipment to include military education, training and maritime activities.

“The presence of the State Minister attests to the upward trajectory of our defence cooperation, spanning defence equipment, military education and training, and increasingly maritime cooperative activities,” he said, referring to the attendance of Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth at the event.

The strengthening defence ties come amid increasing strategic convergence between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Philippines Highlights ASEAN Priorities

The ambassador also spoke about the Philippines’ role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying Manila had adopted the theme “Navigating Our Future Together” to reflect the importance of collective action in an increasingly uncertain world.

He said the country’s ASEAN chairmanship is based on three key pillars — peace and security, prosperity and people empowerment.

According to Ignacio, peace and regional stability would be pursued through dialogue, adherence to international law and stronger cooperation against traditional and emerging threats.

The second pillar focuses on economic integration, digital transformation and inclusive development, while the third aims to empower people across the region.

Strategic Partnership Reflects Growing Importance Of Bilateral Ties

Describing the Philippines as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, Ambassador Ignacio said the country remained committed to multilateralism and constructive international engagement.

He stressed that no nation could navigate today’s rapidly changing global environment alone and called for deeper cooperation among countries to address common challenges.

“In our network of relationships, the Philippines’ partnership with India occupies a prominent and impactful place, marked by one high point after another,” he said.

The envoy’s remarks underscore the growing strategic importance of India-Philippines ties, which have expanded significantly in recent years across political, economic and defence sectors, reflecting the broader convergence of interests between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

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