| Upsc Relevance– Prelims-Strategic Partnership, South China Sea, Act East Policy, Preferential Trade Agreement, Indo-Pacific, UNCLOS 1982, Maritime Security, Digital Sovereignty, Naval Cooperation, ASEAN. Mains- GS Paper II – International Relations *Bilateral relations with neighboring and ASEAN countries *India’s role in the Indo-Pacific *International treaties and strategic partnerships |
Why in News?
During Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to India in August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the elevation of India-Philippines relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership. This upgrade includes enhanced defence cooperation, maritime linkages, preferential trade negotiations, and people-to-people connectivity.
Background
India and the Philippines have traditionally maintained warm diplomatic ties rooted in shared democratic values, anti-colonial history, and a mutual interest in a rules-based Indo-Pacific.
- Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1949.
- Both countries are part of ASEAN-related platforms and the East Asia Summit.
- India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision align with the Philippines’ strategic interests in regional stability and maritime security.
Recent Developments
1. Strategic Partnership Agreement
- India and the Philippines officially elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, reflecting growing convergence on security and economic cooperation.
- A detailed action plan has been prepared to implement the outcomes of this upgraded partnership.
| A strategic partnership is a formal agreement between two or more companies to work together toward common goals. Instead of just doing basic business transactions, they combine their strengths, skills, and resources in a deeper way. These partnerships usually last a long time and help both sides grow faster, serve customers better, and compete strongly in the market. |
2. Defence and Maritime Cooperation
- India and the Philippines finalised Terms of Reference between their Army, Navy, and Air Force for future cooperation.
- Key areas include:
- Joint maritime exercises
- Capacity building
- Training exchanges
- For the first time, three Indian Naval ships participated in a naval exercise in the Philippines.
- India’s hydrography ship is also engaged in joint activities.
- A framework for maritime cooperation between the Indian and Philippine Coast Guards has been agreed upon.
3. South China Sea and Rules-Based Order
- Both nations reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the South China Sea, based on UNCLOS 1982.
- This comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
4. Trade and Connectivity
- Announcement of talks for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
- Direct flights between India and the Philippines to commence in 2025.
- Free e-tourist visa for Filipino nationals for one year starting August 2025.
5. Legal and Digital Cooperation
- Signed:
- Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in criminal matters.
- Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
- India will support the Philippines Sovereign Data Cloud under a pilot project.
- The Philippines has been invited to join India’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
| About India–Philippines Relations: India and the Philippines are two democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific region that share a similar vision for the area — promoting a free, open, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific. Political Relations *India and the Philippines officially began diplomatic ties on 26 November 1949, soon after both countries gained independence. (India in 1947, Philippines in 1946) *When India introduced the Look East Policy in 1992 to build stronger ties with ASEAN, its relations with the Philippines also grew—both bilaterally and regionally. *Under the Act East Policy (2014), the partnership has expanded further into areas like politics, security, trade, and industry. Economic Relations *India is the 15th largest trading partner of the Philippines. *In 2022, the total trade between the two countries was valued at around USD 3 billion. *The Philippines imports more from India than it exports, making it a net importer in bilateral trade. Defense Cooperation India and the Philippines are building a stronger defence and security relationship. A major highlight is the upcoming BrahMos missile agreement. *BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. *It can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms. *The Philippines is set to become the first foreign buyer of this missile system from India. |
| Feature | Description |
| Location | Located in Southeast Asia; surrounded by the Philippine Sea (east), South China Sea (west), and Celebes Sea (south) |
| Geography | Composed of 7,641 islands, forming an archipelago |
| Largest Islands | Luzon and Mindanao |
| Capital | Manila, located on Luzon Island |
| Highest Peak | Mount Apo (2,954 m), an active volcano on Mindanao |
| Climate | Tropical – hot, humid, with distinct wet and dry seasons |
| Biodiversity | Recognised as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots |
| Geological Status | Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – highly active geologically |
| Volcanoes | Over 20 active volcanoes, including Mayon (erupted in 2023), Taal, and Mount Pinatubo (erupted in 1991) |
Key Issues and Challenges
1. China’s Reaction and Regional Sensitivities
- Deepening India-Philippines defence ties may provoke strategic unease in Beijing, especially due to existing maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
2. Slow Progress on Trade
- Despite shared interests, bilateral trade remains modest, and past attempts at trade deals have been slow.
3. Security Capacities
- The Philippine military remains under-resourced, which may limit operational coordination despite policy alignment.
4. ASEAN Centrality vs. Minilateralism
- India must balance bilateral ties with ASEAN norms to avoid alienating other regional players.
Way Forward
1. Fast-Track Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)
- Strengthen supply chain resilience and create market access for pharma, IT, defence, and agri-tech sectors.
2. Institutionalise Defence Dialogue
- Regular 2+2 Ministerial Dialogues, naval exercises, and staff-level interactions should be institutionalised.
3. Digital and Cybersecurity Cooperation
- Expand partnerships in digital governance, data localisation, and cyber resilience, leveraging India’s IT capabilities.
4. Multilateral Engagement
- Coordinate more closely in ASEAN-led forums, the East Asia Summit, and QUAD+ to uphold a rules-based Indo-Pacific order.
5. People-to-People Ties
- Increase educational and cultural exchanges; explore opportunities for Filipino students in Indian universities, especially in STEM and medicine.
Conclusion
The elevation of India-Philippines ties to a Strategic Partnership marks a significant step in India’s Act East Policy and strategic presence in the Western Pacific. As both countries face common regional challenges—especially China’s maritime assertiveness—the deepening of cooperation in defence, trade, and digital governance will strengthen mutual resilience and regional stability.
Upsc prelims practice question-
Q. The term ‘Preferential Trade Agreement’ (PTA), recently in the news with reference to India-Philippines ties, refers to:
A. A treaty under which two countries completely eliminate tariffs on all goods.
B. A bilateral agreement to allow visa-free travel for tourists.
C. An agreement to reduce tariffs on certain listed goods between countries.
D. An agreement to restrict trade with non-member countries.
Answer: C
Mains practice question-
Q“The elevation of India-Philippines ties to a strategic partnership reflects India’s growing role in shaping Indo-Pacific geopolitics.”Discuss the key areas of cooperation and their strategic implications. ( 15 marks , 250 words)
SOURCE- THE HINDU
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