Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday vowed to continue the gains achieved by the robust bilateral relations between New Delhi and Manila in the past years after he secured a fresh seat in the recently concluded election this year.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi said India is “committed to build upon the gains of the past decade in the strategic partnership between India and Philippines.”
Modi made the pronouncement as he believed the gains “hold immense potential for the welfare of our people and to promote regional peace and stability.”
Modi expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the latter’s congratulatory message after he secured his third term as India’s leader.
Under Modi’s term, which started in 2014, India proved itself to be “a sincere friend to the Philippines,” according to Marcos.
“I look forward to the further strengthening of our bilateral and regional partnership in the years ahead,” Marcos said, which Modi described as “warm words” from the Philippine leader.
In 2023, India joined a dozen other nations in supporting the Philippines’ call to uphold the rule of law amid its row with China over the West Philippine Sea.
India, in the same year, bolstered its maritime partnership with the Philippines following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on enhanced maritime cooperation.
Former Indian Ambassador to Manila Shambhu Kumaran said the two countries were entering into the “best and most substantive” phase of their diplomatic relationship due to more cooperation between the two countries.