Marcos back in PH after India visit

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. returned to the Philippines on Friday evening after a state visit in India, which he called the country's "good friend and now, strategic partner."

Marcos landed at 8:06 p.m. with the officials who accompanied him on the trip. 

He said he is optimistic that the Philippines' partnership with India will bring about progress and prosperity for both countries.

Marcos said he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his top officials, wherein they discussed concrete ways to realize the full potential of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

"Towards this end, our two governments signed several cooperation agreements. These were on judicial matters; space, science and technology; defense and security; culture; and tourism. I am pleased to be able to say that Prime Minister Modi and I had a real meeting of the minds," he said.

The President touted securing 18 business agreements, comprising real investments worth $446 and generated interest for a potential of up to $5.8 billion in key sectors such as digital infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and IT-BPM.

He said the real investments are expected to generate more than 4,000 direct jobs, including large-scale employment linked to infrastructure, manufacturing, and renewable energy projects.

To complement the potential job needs, Marcos said India also made commitments to digital upskilling with a value of $11 million.  By 2026, at least 26,120 Filipinos are projected to be trained in Artificial Intelligence, digital technologies, and cybersecurity.

Marcos also met with the Filipino community and delivered a Foreign Policy Address to highlight the two countries' converging interests in trade, development, defense and global commons.

"As strategic partners, the Philippines and India enter a new era of closer, multidimensional, and impactful engagement between our countries and our peoples," Marcos said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News