Philippines President to Visit India for Maritime Cooperation

• India to host Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. from August 4 to 8.

• Visit marks first visit by Marcos Jr., son of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

• Visit will begin with ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and visit to Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat.

• Delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sign multiple agreements and MoUs.

• Visit is seen as the culmination of sustained political-level dialogue strengthening maritime cooperation.

• Both countries are strong proponents of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo and the Secretary of National Defence of the Philippines, Teodoro Gilbert.

• The five-day visit follows several Indian Navy destroyers conducting joint patrol with the Philippine Navy.