Milestones in India-Philippines Relations (Chronological)

Early Ties (Pre-20th Century)

While not formalized, early cultural and commercial exchanges existed:

• Ancient Trade: Evidence suggests trade links via maritime routes, evidenced by shared linguistic influences and the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism to the Philippines.

20th Century: Foundation & Growth

• May 26, 1949: India becomes the first Asian country to recognize the Republic of the Philippines. This signifies early solidarity among newly independent Asian nations post-World War II.

• July 1952: Establishment of diplomatic relations. This paves the way for formal engagement in various sectors.

• 1959: Philippines opens its embassy in New Delhi.

• 1962: India opens its embassy in Manila.

• 1970s: Both countries become founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, reflecting shared principles of independent foreign policy.

Late 20th Century: Strengthening Ties

• 1995: India becomes a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, which the Philippines is a founding member of. This fosters closer economic ties within the regional bloc.

• November 1996: Signing of the Agreement on Expansion of Trade. This agreement aims to boost bilateral trade and diversify cooperation.

21st Century: Deepening & Broadening Partnership

• November 2007: Signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership. This marks a significant upgrade in the relationship, emphasizing collaboration in security, defense, counter-terrorism, and economic spheres.

• 2009: First-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister (Dr. Manmohan Singh) to the Philippines in 15 years. This signifies India's growing focus on Southeast Asia and strengthens bilateral engagement.

• 2013: Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation. This strengthens cooperation in defense equipment, training, and joint exercises, reflecting shared concerns over maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

• 2015: Signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Health. This agreement promotes collaboration in healthcare delivery, research, and pharmaceuticals.

• 2017: India extends a $500 million Line of Credit to the Philippines for defense projects. This reflects growing strategic trust and India's commitment to supporting the Philippines' defense modernization.

• 2018: India and the Philippines conduct their first-ever joint naval exercise. This marks a significant step towards enhancing interoperability and maritime domain awareness.

Recent Developments (2020 onwards):

• June 2021: India delivers the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines, marking the first export of this system. This signifies a major boost to Philippine defense capabilities and reflects growing strategic convergence.

• February 2023: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits India, further bolstering bilateral ties, particularly in defense and security.

Importance & Future Trajectory:

The India-Philippines relationship has witnessed remarkable growth in recent decades, evolving from early solidarity to a strategic partnership. Key drivers include:

• Shared democratic values: Both nations are vibrant democracies with a commitment to the rule of law.
• Economic synergy: India sees the Philippines as a gateway to ASEAN, while the Philippines seeks to leverage India's growing economy and technological prowess.
• Security convergence: Shared concerns over maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in light of China's assertiveness, have brought the two countries closer.

The relationship is poised for further deepening in the coming years, driven by increasing defense cooperation, trade and investment flows, and collaboration in multilateral forums.