Marcos departs for 2-day BRICS Summit in India

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday left Manila to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.

In his departure message, Marcos said that his travel to India from September 12 to 13, 2026, was at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The President is set to represent the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community in the BRICS Summit in the Philippines’ capacity as chair of the regional organization for 2026.

“In this role, I will carry ASEAN's voice to the summit and help amplify our community's perspectives on the issues of our time, guided by the priorities of our chairship, peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment,” Marcos said.

“We will engage the BRICS community, whose ranks include four of our fellow ASEAN member-states, on advancing our quest for peace, inclusive growth, regional resilience, sustainable development, food and energy security, and a rules-based international order,” he added.

During the opening session of the Summit on September 13, Marcos said he will have the opportunity to present the priorities of ASEAN to the BRICS members.

He said he plans to highlight ASEAN’s commitment to deepen its engagement with its partners through established frameworks, and offer views on how partners can and should work to address challenges, especially those that affect developing countries and emerging economies.

“We will call for fairer global governance, stronger disaster preparedness, the responsible use of new technologies, climate action, and the peaceful settlement of disputes under international law. We will bring lessons from ASEAN’s track record and long-standing commitment to open and inclusive dialogue, while preserving strategic autonomy,” the President said.

While in India, Marcos is also set to have a bilateral meeting with Modi.

Marcos said that he and the Indian leader will track progress in the key areas of the Philippines-India Strategic Partnership and will review the progress in the implementation of the Five-Year Plan of Action for 2025-2029.

“Our discussions will cover defense and maritime cooperation, trade and investment, the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement, health and pharmaceuticals, digital cooperation, tourism, direct air connectivity, and people-to-people ties,” he said.

He also said he would renew the invitation for Modi to visit the Philippines for the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit in November.

Marcos said he will also engage with Indian companies and players.

“We thus embark for India determined to continue the task of translating potential to action,

and action into gains—gains for greater economic security for the Filipino people, for ASEAN and its external partnerships, and for fostering broader practical cooperation among players, even of differing persuasions, to support peace, security, and shared prosperity,” the chief executive said.

“I look forward to another productive visit to India, to engaging leaders, nations, and entities participating in the BRICS Summit, and to opening more doors for the Philippines and for ASEAN,” he added. —LDF, GMA News