Philippines’ Marcos eyes India trade, defence in talks with Modi

MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will discuss trade and defence relations with India when he meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a state visit to the South Asian nation next week.

“They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq said in a briefing on Aug 1.

Mr Marcos’ trip to India is set to be from Aug 4 to Aug 8 upon Mr Modi’s invitation.

“We recognise the economic and strategic potentials of India, and we hope to open up possibilities for the future,” Ms Jimenez-Ducrocq said.

Mr Marcos’ efforts to expand economic cooperation with India, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, come amid the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs in August.

The

19 per cent tariff

imposed on Philippine goods is on a par with many other South-east Asian nations, removing a trade advantage that Manila touted when the US initially threatened a 17 per cent levy in April, which was among the lowest rates in the region that time.

The US levy on India’s goods

is set at 25 per cent

.

Mr Marcos’ visit to India also comes at a time when the two nations, which face a similar security concern, are improving defence ties.

Manila has

a territorial dispute

with Beijing in the South China Sea, while New Delhi has a border row with China over the Himalayas.

The Philippine and Indian navies are set to hold joint maritime exercises in waters facing the South China Sea from Aug 3, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jr told reporters.

Gen Brawner said Manila is looking at ordering more weapons systems and equipment from India.

The Philippines previously procured a shore-based anti-ship missile system from India’s BrahMos Aerospace, a contract worth US$324 million (S$421 million), as the nation boosts its coastal defence.

“We still have two sets of BrahMos systems that will arrive in the next few years,” Gen Brawner said, adding that other weapons systems of the Philippine Navy are also from India.

“We found out that what’s made in India are of high quality but not too costly. So it’s good if we partner with India,” he said. BLOOMBERG