President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said his state visit to India aims to secure investments and strategic partnerships in key sectors including technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and food security as the Philippines seeks to deepen relations with the world’s fourth-largest economy.
“I want this visit to bring concrete benefits to the people, such as more affordable medicine and greater connectivity and food security,” Marcos said in a departure speech at Villamor Air Base on Monday, August 4, 2025 after his plane took off at 10:44 a.m.
Marcos stated that the Philippine delegation will pursue cooperation with India across diverse areas such as defense, trade, investment, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, agriculture, and tourism.
The President is set to personally lead business meetings in New Delhi and Bangalore, aiming at high-level engagements with Indian companies in the IT sector and other industries.
“I have here with me several Cabinet Secretaries who will make certain that the vision of a close strategic relationship with India will turn into a reality as soon as possible,” he said.
“There are already Indian multinational companies that are operating in the Philippines in IT-BPM, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications industries, and many, many more other sectors,” he added.
According to Marcos, it was mandatory upon his administration ‘to maximize the opportunities in trade and investment with the world’s fourth-largest economy.’
He noted that India’s pharmaceutical industry could help address medicine affordability in the Philippines, while enhanced connectivity with Indian tech firms could support the country’s digital transformation goals.
Marcos also said he looked forward to “a productive visit and much closer Philippines-India relations,” describing India as a “long-valued friend” with which the Philippines shares democratic ideals and regional security interests.
