Defence to space, trade to tech: India, Philippines to deepen ties

International Relations · 14 September 2026 · Based on Indian Express (original report)

2-minute summary

During the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held bilateral talks to advance their Strategic Partnership. A key highlight was the Philippines' decision to join the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Bilateral relations have grown rapidly, anchored by the landmark 2022 deal to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippine Navy and a bilateral trade volume exceeding $3 billion, driven by pharmaceuticals, IT, and agriculture. To counter shared concerns over China's aggressive territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea, both nations are implementing a 2025-29 roadmap to expand military training, joint staff talks, and maritime security cooperation. India reiterated its commitment to a rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Why it's in the news

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi to deepen bilateral ties across defence, space, trade, and technology, while welcoming the Philippines into the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

Background and context

Historically, India and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1949, but ties remained relatively low-key during the Cold War. The relationship gained momentum with India's 'Look East' (now 'Act East') Policy in 1992. In recent years, shared geopolitical anxieties regarding China's expansionist claims in the South China Sea have pushed both nations toward a robust strategic and defence partnership. This culminated in the landmark 2022 agreement worth $375 million for India to export its shore-based BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, marking a major milestone in India's defence export ambitions.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 51 — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, and foster respect for international law (such as UNCLOS).

Government schemes

• Act East Policy — An upgrade of the 'Look East Policy' focusing on extended neighborhood in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing security, strategic, and economic connectivity with ASEAN members like the Philippines.

International organisations

• Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) — An India-led global partnership of national governments, UN agencies, and private sectors launched in 2019 to promote climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure. The Philippines has recently decided to join this coalition.
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — A regional grouping of 10 Southeast Asian states. The Philippines is a founding member and held the ASEAN chair during this bilateral meet, which is central to India's Indo-Pacific strategy.
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — An international treaty that provides a regulatory framework for the use of the world's seas and oceans. India supports a rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea based on UNCLOS.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

• Mains GS-2 2016 — Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India's Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.

Mains practice: Analyze the strategic and economic drivers behind the deepening bilateral relations between India and the Philippines. How does this partnership contribute to India's broader Indo-Pacific strategy?

The bilateral relationship between India and the Philippines has rapidly transitioned into a robust strategic partnership, driven by converging security anxieties and shared economic aspirations.

**Strategic and Security Drivers:**

• **Countering Maritime Assertiveness:** Both nations share deep concerns over China's aggressive territorial claims and unilateral actions in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea.

• **Defence Cooperation:** The landmark 2022 deal to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippine Navy marked a paradigm shift, establishing India as a reliable defence exporter. This is supported by the 2025-29 roadmap focusing on military training, joint staff talks, and maritime security.

• **Adherence to International Law:** Both nations advocate for a rules-based maritime order, emphasizing freedom of navigation and peaceful dispute resolution under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

**Economic and Technological Drivers:**

• **Trade and Investment:** Bilateral trade has surpassed $3 billion, anchored by Indian pharmaceutical exports, IT services, and agricultural cooperation.

• **New Frontiers of Collaboration:** Cooperation is expanding into space technology, fintech, railway infrastructure, and disaster management, highlighted by the Philippines joining the India-led Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

**Contribution to India's Indo-Pacific Strategy:**

This partnership acts as a vital pillar of India's 'Act East' Policy and its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. By strengthening security ties with the Philippines, India solidifies its role as a 'net security provider' and a key balancing power in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring regional stability and open sea lanes of communication.

In conclusion, the deepening India-Philippines alignment is essential for maintaining a multi-polar, rules-based Asian order, transforming traditional diplomatic ties into a cornerstone of regional security.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), consider the following statements: 1. It was launched by India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019. 2. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. 3. Membership is open to both developed and developing countries. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. Statement 1 is correct: CDRI was launched by the Prime Minister of India at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York in September 2019. Statement 2 is incorrect: Its secretariat is located in New Delhi, India. Statement 3 is correct: Membership is open to diverse stakeholders, including national governments of both developed and developing countries, UN agencies, and private sectors.

Q2. The 'BrahMos' supersonic cruise missile, recently exported by India to the Philippines, is a joint venture between India and which of the following countries?

1. Israel
2. Russia
3. France
4. United States

Answer: B. BrahMos is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. It is named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.

Q3. Which of the following international conventions serves as the primary legal framework for India's advocacy of a rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea?

1. The London Convention on Marine Pollution
2. The MARPOL Convention
3. The Geneva Convention
4. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

Answer: D. India consistently supports a rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea based on international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans.

Revision flashcards

• What landmark defence deal was signed between India and the Philippines in 2022? A $375 million agreement for India to supply shore-based BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippine Navy.
• Which India-led global initiative did the Philippines decide to join during the 2026 bilateral talks? The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• What is the timeframe and focus of the bilateral roadmap adopted by India and the Philippines? The 2025-2029 roadmap, which focuses on expanding military training, joint staff talks, and maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• What is the current volume of bilateral trade between India and the Philippines, and what are its primary drivers (as of September 2026)? Bilateral trade has grown past $3 billion, driven by Indian pharmaceutical exports, IT services, and agricultural cooperation.
• What shared geopolitical concern drives the strategic convergence between India and the Philippines? Shared concerns over China's aggressive territorial assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea, prompting a mutual commitment to UNCLOS.