 |
|
The article highlights the Philippines' increasing interest in engaging with India, driven by a confluence of strategic, economic, and geopolitical factors. President Bongbong Marcos' visit to India, framed within the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Partnership, signals a desire to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic level. This is underpinned by India's growing importance in the Philippines' foreign policy calculations, particularly in light of China's assertiveness in the South China Sea. The Philippines, under Marcos Jr., has adopted a more assertive stance in defending its national interests, prioritizing engagement with countries like Japan, Australia, and the United States. India's responsiveness to the Philippines' position on the South China Sea, coupled with Manila's decision to join the International Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region, further solidifies this strategic alignment. The enhancement of this relationship places the Philippines alongside Singapore as one of India's closest strategic partners within ASEAN, underscoring the importance of maritime security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. The burgeoning strategic partnership extends beyond defense and security considerations, encompassing a desire to enhance connectivity between the two nations. Historically, geographical distance has hindered direct shipping, flights, and broader connectivity initiatives. However, recent developments, such as the Philippines' granting of visa-free entry to Indian nationals and Air India's commencement of direct flights, aim to bridge this gap and foster greater people-to-people contact. The success of direct connectivity in promoting tourism in other ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, serves as a compelling model for the India-Philippines partnership. This focus on connectivity reflects a broader recognition of the importance of fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties at the grassroots level, laying the foundation for a more robust and enduring relationship. While trade and investment have been traditional pillars of India's engagement with ASEAN, the India-Philippines trade relationship has remained relatively modest. Despite ranking sixth among ASEAN member states in trade with India, bilateral trade in 2023-24 amounted to $3.5 billion, with Indian exports accounting for approximately $2 billion and imports from the Philippines reaching about $1.5 billion. Historically, the Philippines has been a hesitant participant in ASEAN-India trade frameworks, often being the last to ratify major agreements. However, there are signs of progress, including a new agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters since June 2023 and the resumption of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement. Despite its participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, the Philippines' key trading partners remain China, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. The Philippines' recognition of India's emergence as an economic powerhouse, growing at nearly 7 percent annually, is a significant factor driving its desire for greater engagement. Indian investments in the Philippines are valued at around $5 billion, primarily in IT and ITeS, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and biomass energy. While Filipino investments in India are currently limited, there is potential for growth, particularly with the rise of regional supply chains. Financial technology has been identified as a priority area for both governments, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023 to strengthen cooperation. The potential for tourism growth is significant, with the introduction of visa-free travel and direct air connectivity expected to drive a rapid increase in the number of Indian tourists visiting the Philippines. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to a deeper and more dynamic India-Philippines relationship, underpinned by the broader Indo-Pacific concept and a recognition of the value of India's Act East Policy. The alignment of strategic interests, the pursuit of enhanced connectivity, and the recognition of mutual economic opportunities are creating a strong foundation for a closer and more comprehensive partnership between India and the Philippines, with implications for regional stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The article underscores that Manila's desire to engage with New Delhi stems from a multifaceted assessment of its own strategic needs and the recognition of India's rising prominence on the global stage. This proactive approach highlights the Philippines' commitment to diversifying its partnerships and contributing to a more balanced and cooperative regional order. The Philippines' decision to strengthen ties with India reflects a strategic calculation based on several key factors, including shared concerns about regional security, the desire to diversify its economic partnerships, and the recognition of India's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. By forging closer links with India, the Philippines aims to enhance its own resilience and contribute to a more stable and prosperous regional environment.
Furthermore, the strategic partnership between the Philippines and India is not solely defined by their shared concerns about China's actions in the South China Sea. While this is undoubtedly a significant factor, the relationship encompasses a broader range of shared interests and objectives. Both countries recognize the importance of maintaining a rules-based international order, promoting maritime security, and fostering economic growth and development in the Indo-Pacific region. India's Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen its engagement with Southeast Asia, aligns closely with the Philippines' own strategic priorities. By working together, the two countries can contribute to a more balanced and multipolar regional order, where no single power dominates. The Philippines' strategic outlook is evolving, reflecting a growing awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing geopolitical landscape. Under President Marcos Jr., the Philippines has adopted a more assertive foreign policy, seeking to diversify its partnerships and strengthen its own defense capabilities. The decision to engage more actively with India is a key component of this strategy. The Philippines recognizes that India is a rising power with significant economic and military capabilities, and that closer ties with India can enhance its own strategic position in the region. The strategic partnership between the Philippines and India is also driven by a shared commitment to promoting maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Both countries rely on the sea lanes of communication for trade and energy security, and they share a common interest in ensuring that these sea lanes remain open and secure. The Philippines and India have been working together to enhance maritime domain awareness, conduct joint naval exercises, and share information on maritime security threats. This cooperation is essential for maintaining stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and it underscores the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Beyond the strategic dimension, the growing economic ties between the Philippines and India are also a significant driver of the relationship. India is a large and rapidly growing economy, and the Philippines recognizes the potential for increased trade and investment between the two countries. The Philippines is also seeking to attract more Indian investment in key sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure. The resumption of negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement is a positive step towards enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. The economic partnership between the Philippines and India is mutually beneficial, creating opportunities for growth and development in both countries. The Philippines can benefit from India's expertise in areas such as IT and pharmaceuticals, while India can benefit from the Philippines' skilled workforce and strategic location in Southeast Asia. The economic partnership also contributes to regional integration and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition to the strategic and economic dimensions, the growing people-to-people ties between the Philippines and India are also contributing to a stronger relationship. The introduction of visa-free travel for Indian nationals is expected to significantly increase the number of Indian tourists visiting the Philippines. This will not only boost the Philippines' tourism industry, but it will also promote greater cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries. The commencement of direct flights between India and the Philippines is another positive step towards enhancing people-to-people connectivity. Direct flights will make it easier and more affordable for people to travel between the two countries, facilitating tourism, business, and cultural exchange. The growing number of Indian students studying in the Philippines is also contributing to a stronger people-to-people relationship. These students are building lasting connections with the Philippines, and they will play an important role in fostering future cooperation between the two countries. The cultural similarities between the Philippines and India are also contributing to a stronger relationship. Both countries share a rich cultural heritage, and there is a growing interest in each other's cultures. This cultural exchange is fostering greater understanding and appreciation between the two countries, and it is strengthening the bonds of friendship. The Philippines' desire to engage more actively with India is part of a broader trend of diversification in its foreign policy. The Philippines is seeking to build stronger relationships with a wider range of countries, in order to reduce its dependence on any single power. This strategy is designed to enhance the Philippines' own resilience and contribute to a more balanced and cooperative regional order. The Philippines recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly complex and contested, and that it is important to build strong partnerships with like-minded countries in order to promote stability and security. India is a natural partner for the Philippines in this endeavor, given its shared values, strategic interests, and growing economic and military capabilities. The Philippines' engagement with India is also driven by a recognition of India's growing leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region. India is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the regional agenda, and the Philippines wants to be a part of this process. By working closely with India, the Philippines can contribute to a more stable, prosperous, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The Philippines' engagement with India is not intended to be at the expense of its relationships with other countries. The Philippines remains committed to maintaining strong relationships with all of its partners, including China, the United States, Japan, and Australia. The Philippines believes that it is possible to have good relations with all of these countries, and that cooperation is the best way to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The Philippines' engagement with India is a strategic decision based on a careful assessment of its own interests and the changing geopolitical landscape. By forging closer ties with India, the Philippines aims to enhance its own resilience, contribute to a more stable regional order, and promote economic growth and development in the Indo-Pacific region.