Image Source: Agencies

Aug 6, 2025: In response to the Philippines' decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian nationals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday that India will provide free e-visas to Filipino tourists. The announcement came during a Joint Press Statement by PM Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, who is currently on a five-day state visit to the country.
During the event, both leaders agreed to further strengthen connections and ties between people. "We welcome the decision of the Philippines to grant visa-free entry to Indian tourists. India, on the other hand, has decided to make free e-visas available to Filipino tourists. Efforts will also be made to launch direct flights between Delhi and Manila within this year," PM Modi said.
President Marcos echoed the sentiment, praising India for its reciprocal gesture and highlighting the Philippines' recent visa-free policy for Indian citizens. "I extended our invitation to more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines and reiterated our introduction of visa-free entry privileges. In turn, I am grateful to Prime Minister Modi for introducing a program to provide free visas to Filipino tourists traveling to India. We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and have renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity," he stated.
In a significant step toward enhancing regional connectivity between India and the Philippines, the Ministry of External Affairs later announced direct flights from Delhi to Manila, which are anticipated to begin operations on October 1 of this year. During a special press conference to mark the Philippine President's state visit, Ferdinand R. The MEA informed India, in a letter to Marcos Jr., that the two nations are looking into the possibility of expanding air links to additional locations in the near future to boost tourism, business, and people-to-people interactions. "Hopefully, direct Air India flight connectivity to the Philippines will begin on October 1 from Delhi to Manila. Further discussions on destinations and how to expand will be further," the MEA stated.
PM Modi also thanked the Philippines for their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that resulted in the deaths of 22 people and for supporting India's efforts in the global fight against terrorism. "We are pleased that the Philippines have chosen to join the International Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region that India has established." We express our sincere gratitude to the Government of the Philippines and to the President for strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and for standing with us in our fight against terrorism," the Prime Minister stated.
President Marcos conveyed the solidarity of the Filipino people with India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and reiterated the Philippines' firm stance against terrorism.
"As emissaries of our people, I bring with me the enduring friendship of the Filipino nation. President Marcos stated, "I carry the message of our solidarity with India, both in regard to the tragic attack in Pahalgam earlier this year and the broader fight against terrorism." This visit also marks a historic moment in India-Philippines relations, as the two countries announced the elevation of their ties to a Strategic Partnership as they celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
"India is pleased to welcome President of the Philippines, Mr. Bongbong Marcos at a time when our nations are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties. It is equally gladdening that we have decided to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, which ensures our cooperation becomes more robust and diverse. In this regard, an Action Plan has also been developed," PM Modi stated in a post on X. Reiterating their commitment to ongoing cultural exchange programs, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the expanding tourism and cultural exchanges. "We are working to strengthen cultural ties between the Philippines and India. In the areas of tourism, connectivity, and regular cultural exchange programs, our nations will collaborate. We discussed a wide range of topics, including regional and global issues, as well as bilateral cooperation between India and the Philippines. The need to expand trade was a significant topic of discussion. Information technology, healthcare, automobiles, minerals, space, and science all have enormous potential. Growing cooperation in defence and security is also a very welcome development," the post added.
The Ministry of External Affairs also stated the meeting was a "new milestone" in India-Philippines relations, stating that the two leaders had "agreed to elevate India-Philippines bilateral relations to a 'Strategic Partnership'," and noted the signing of several key agreements.
Terms of Reference for Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) negotiations, a Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners, and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT) are among these. "India and the Philippines are now Strategic Partners, a brand-new milestone. President Marcos and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met at Hyderabad House and agreed to make India-Philippines relations a "Strategic Partnership." The leaders were also present when the Plan of Action (2025-29) for putting the Strategic Partnership into action was exchanged. The various aspects of ties were the topic of discussion. The MEA stated in a post on X that "a number of important documents, including MLAT in Criminal Matters, Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners, ToRs on Establishing Staff Talks Between Defence Forces, in the Areas of Space, Tourism, Culture, S&T, and Digital Technologies, were Exchanged." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed his affirmation over the India-Philippine relationship and over the Indo-Pacific cooperation.
"Excited to have witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos announce the strategic partnership between India and the Philippines. as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, an affirmation of our growing Indo-Pacific cooperation," the EAM stated. Following their meeting, both leaders declared 13 wide-ranging agreements, with key pacts spanning defence, security, science and technology, tourism, digital cooperation, maritime collaboration, and cultural exchange.
The MEA stated in a statement that a comprehensive Plan of Action for the Strategic Partnership, spanning the years 2025 to 2029, was also unveiled, laying the foundation for enhanced engagement across crucial sectors. Among the notable outcomes were the adoption of Terms of Reference between the Indian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force on Air Staff Talks, between the Indian Army and the Philippine Army on Army-to-Army Staff Talks, and between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy on Navy-to-Navy Talks. In an effort to improve legal and judicial cooperation, the two sides also signed a Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to bolster cooperation in digital technologies.
A statement of Intent was also exchanged between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Philippine Space Agency, focused on collaboration in the peaceful uses of outer space.