New Delhi (VNA) – During Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to India from August 4–8, the two sides have agreed to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership and signed 14 bilateral agreements aimed at boosting collaboration in key areas.

The agreements signed on August 5 cover areas such as defence and security, maritime cooperation, trade, mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, science and technology, digital technology, tourism, peaceful uses of the outer space, and cultural exchange.

Notable agreements include the Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of India, the Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Strategic Partnership (2025-2029), and the Terms of Reference between the Philippine Air Force and the Indian Air Force on Air Staff Talks.

On the same day, Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr jointly launched commemorative postal stamps to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Themed on the national flowers of India and Philippines, the lotus and the sampaguita respectively, the stamps reflect the close cultural connections and long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

The spokesperson also welcomed the possibility of direct flights between India and the Philippines in the coming months. India has announced free e-tourist visas for Filipino citizens while the Philippines has allowed Indian tourists to enter the country visa-free for a maximum period of 14 days. These measures are expected to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties. The two sides are also exploring cooperation to link their payment systems.

In a statement, PM Modi called the Philippine leader's visit "significant" and highlighted the countries' long-standing cultural ties that date back to ancient times. He also called for early completion of the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and forged ahead with a bilateral preferential trade agreement with the Philippines.

Speaking at a reception hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu atౠ the Presidential Palace, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. descriꦇbed the trip as one of the most "productive and constructive" visits he had ever made and attributed its success to the close and strong relationship between the two countries./.