India-Philippines Relations: Convergences & Divergences

• Context (PIB): India and the Philippines elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership to deepen cooperation across defence, economy, and Indo-Pacific security.
• The elevation coincides with 75 years of diplomatic relations since 1949.

India’s Policy Towards the Philippines

• Act East Integration: The Philippines is included in India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific strategies.
• Defence Exports: BrahMos and naval systems enhance the Philippine maritime security capabilities.
• MAHASAGAR: Philippines is included in India’s maritime cooperation blueprint for Indo-Pacific.
• Capacity Building: ITEC programs train officials in cyber, health, disaster response, and governance.
• Credit Support: Concessional LoCs extended for defence and digital infrastructure initiatives.
• Soft Power Diplomacy: Scholarships, ICCR programs, & Buddhist heritage promoted strategically.

India-Philippines Relations: Historical Background

• Early Relations: Diplomatic ties began in 1949, among India’s earliest Southeast Asian relations.
• Cold War Drift: Strategic ties stagnated due to differing alignments during the bipolar world order.
• Post-1991 Revival: Look East Policy & ASEAN partnership revived the diplomatic momentum.
• Friendship Treaty: 1952 Treaty of Friendship formalised bilateral engagement and legal cooperation.
• Recent Momentum: Post-2020 surge driven by defence pacts & high-level strategic engagements.

Key Areas of Cooperation

• Economic Agenda: Bilateral trade between the two countries increased from $1.89 billion in 2015-16 to $ 3.05 billion in 2022-23. PTA talks strengthen the bilateral economic architecture.
• Defence Cooperation: Philippines became the first overseas client of India’s vaunted BrahMos Shore-based Anti-Ship Missile.
• Maritime Synergy: Both oppose China’s maritime aggression in contested regional waters.
• Digital Infrastructure: There is a growing cooperation in fintech (including digital payments and potentially UPI), AI, cybersecurity, and health-tech domains. India backs data sovereignty and fintech resilience in the Philippines.
• Science & Technology: Space and innovation pacts bolster bilateral technological convergence.
• Connectivity Focus: Direct flights and digital links improve mobility and commerce.
• People-to-People Ties: Diaspora and cultural diplomacy expand societal and historical linkages.
• Shared Vision in Multilateralism: Both nations continue to align in ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, and multilateral platforms, advocating for a free and open Indo-Pacific guided by UNCLOS and norms-based order.
• Democratic Values: Rule of law, pluralism, and constitutionalism anchor normative convergence.

Divergences in Relations

• Trade Volume: Bilateral trade remains below potential despite strong economic complementarities.
• China Hedging: Philippines balances China engagement while cautiously advancing India partnership.
• Diaspora Limitation: The size of the Indian community lags behind other key ASEAN partner nations.
• Institutional Gaps: Absence of structured forums earlier delayed sustained coordination mechanisms.
• ASEAN First: Philippines prioritises ASEAN consensus over assertive bilateral defence postures.

Way Forward

• Fastrack FTA: Finalize the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to bolster bilateral trade beyond $5 billion. Expand collaborations in agritech, fintech, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and critical minerals like nickel to reduce supply chain dependence on China.
• Strengthen human & cultural bridges: Promote visa facilitation (e-visas), establish direct air connectivity, and increase people-to-people programs, student scholarships, and cultural exchanges.
• Security coordination: Hold regular strategic dialogues to align defence and security priorities and manage geopolitical challenges.
• Green Metals Partnership: Invest in Philippine nickel and cobalt processing to strengthen EV battery supply chains.