Overview

• India and the Philippines formalized a strategic partnership to deepen defence cooperation, maritime security collaboration and economic integration
• The two navies completed their first joint exercises in the South China Sea, marking a milestone in operational coordination and mutual deterrence
• New agreements establish naval and coast guard interoperability through service-to-service talks, shared training exercises and enhanced port calls
• Leaders launched negotiations on a bilateral preferential trade agreement and agreed to review ASEAN-India trade rules to boost two-way investment
• Reciprocal visa arrangements, free e-visas for Filipino visitors, visa-free access for Indian tourists and planned direct flights aim to strengthen people-to-people ties