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India–Philippines Relations Upgraded to Strategic Partnership (2025)

06 Aug 2025 GS 2 International Relations
India–Philippines Relations Upgraded to Strategic Partnership (2025) Click to view full image

Context: 

India and the Philippines launched a two-day naval drill near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

Scarborough Shoal, a focal point of the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines

Key Diplomatic Highlights

  • India and the Philippines have elevated ties to a "Strategic Partnership".

  • Emphasis on maritime cooperation, defence, trade, and connectivity.

Defence & Maritime Cooperation

  • Three Indian naval ships participated in a naval exercise in the Philippines for the first time.

  • Indian hydrography ship also took part in this engagement.

  • Agreements signed:

    • Finalisation of Terms of Reference between:

      • Armies, Navies, Air Forces

      • Indian Coast Guard and Philippine Coast Guard

    • Focus areas:

      • Capacity building

      • Joint maritime activities

      • Training exchange programs

  • India delivered the first batch of BrahMos missile system to the Philippines on April 19, 2024, making it the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system.

Strategic & Regional Focus

  • Both nations reaffirm support for freedom of navigation and a rules-based Indo-Pacific.

  • India reiterated support for peace and security in South China Sea, based on UNCLOS 1982.

Connectivity Boost

  • Direct flights between India and the Philippines to begin in 2025.

  • Free e-tourist visa for Filipino nationals for 1 year, starting August 2025.

Economic & Trade Ties

  • Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) talks to commence.

  • Focus on enhancing trade, investment, and economic integration.

Technology & Digital Cooperation

  • India to support a pilot project for Philippines’ Sovereign Data Cloud infrastructure.

  • Philippines invited to join India's Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region).

Legal Treaties Signed

  • Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (criminal matters)

  • Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons

India’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR)

Establishment and Objective

  • Established on: 22 December 2018

  • Location: Gurugram, Haryana

  • Initiated by: Government of India, hosted by Indian Navy

  • Objective:

    • Enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA)

    • Promote maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

    • Act as a collaborative hub for maritime information sharing

    • Generate a common coherent maritime picture

Functions and Roles

  • Real-time tracking and monitoring of maritime traffic in IOR and adjacent seas

  • Hosts International Liaison Officers (ILOs) for effective coordination

  • Generates and shares intelligence on maritime threats, piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other transnational maritime crimes

International Participation

  • Countries with ILOs stationed at IFC-IOR (14):

    • Australia

    • Bangladesh

    • France

    • Italy

    • Japan

    • Maldives

    • Mauritius

    • Myanmar

    • Sri Lanka

    • Seychelles

    • Singapore

    • Thailand

    • United Kingdom

    • United States of America

  • Linkages established: 76 linkages with 28 countries

Key Publications and Outputs

  • Weekly Maritime Security Updates (WMSU)

  • Monthly Maritime Security Updates (MMSU)

  • Half-Yearly Overviews

  • Annual Reports

  • Monthly weather forecasts and warnings

  • Special studies and reports on specific maritime issues

Strategic Significance

  • Strengthens India’s position as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific

  • Aligns with India’s SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region)

  • Enhances maritime diplomacy and data-driven regional cooperation



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