The upgrade was formalised during President Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr’s state visit to New Delhi on August 5, 2025, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. But beyond the ceremonial optics lies a deeper realignment, one shaped by Chinese assertiveness, America’s unpredictability, and the rising role of India.

The highlight of the visit — a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan and the warm rhetoric exchanged was complemented by the 13 bilateral agreements signed, and more importantly, the establishment of a roadmap for the Strategic Partnership through to 2029.

India is the only fifth strategic partner of the Philippines, the other four being Japan, Australia, Vietnam and South Korea. With the United States, its closest ally, Manila has a Mutual Defence Treaty. But the USA’s commitment is proving to be transient. But facing an increasingly belligerent China in the South China Sea, the Philippines needs more partners with skin in the game.

India is the obvious choice here. It can be a reliable maritime security, defence and economic partner. And it’s for this reason that a great geopolitical alignment is brewing between the two nations. Marcos said in New Delhi, “Indo-Pacific is the correct evolution of Asia-Pacific," adding that the term better reflects the global nature of politics, trade, and the economy today.

Earlier this week, just before this meeting between Modi and Marcos, India and the Philippines conducted their first-ever joint naval drills in the contested waters near Scarborough Shoal—a bold move that sends a clear signal to Beijing. The........

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