New Delhi: President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, on a state visit to India from August 48, stated that the Philippines and India must continue to collaborate to improve the resilience of our global community.
He also highlighted the global importance of India's role as Vishwa Bandhu (World's Friend) and its effect on the people of the Philippines.
When Prime Minister Modi assures the world that India aspires to be a "Vishwa Bandhu," or friend to the world, we Filipinos believe his and the Indian people's sincerity. Moving ahead, the Philippines and India must continue to collaborate to improve the resilience of our global community. Our diplomatic efforts must support the existing global governance institutions. These organizations must be able to resist geopolitical shocks, remain excellent suppliers of global commodities, and serve as meaningful locations for nations to find consensus.
On Wednesday, President Marcos expressed condolences for the victims of the Uttarakhand flash floods and reaffirmed the two countries' centuries-long relationship.
The Philippines is on the verge of achieving upper-middle income rank, which should be attained as early as next year. India, of course, can be proud of its incredible growth under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, as well as the Indian people's intellectual gravitas, natural skill, and hard labor in becoming the world's fourth-largest economy and a middle power with enormous global influence, Marcos said.
He stated that the First Lady and himself were delighted to be touring this country. As President, it is an honor to visit the world's biggest democracy and express my condolences. Allow me to convey my sincere sympathies to the Indian people, particularly those who lost loved ones in the flash floods in Uttarakhand yesterday.
Over the last two days, the Philippines' President stated that he paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, whose powerful ideas continue to resonate with the world and inspire our lives.
Marcos emphasized his conversations with Indian authorities, stating, "I had meaningful conversations with your President, Prime Minister Modi, and other prominent officials. " We conveyed support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism, as well as sorrow over innocent lives lost to the scourge.
He stated, "We talked about our cooperation in defense and security, and more significantly, we explored with the capital civilian firms the road toward shared development and new possibilities between the Philippines and India. "
He described it as a suitable way to finish the visit, saying, This opportunity to share further reflections is the most appropriate way to conclude this visit on the centuries-old and enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Indian people, the state of our Indo-Pacific region, and its complex challenges and uncertainties that we must, as nations and partners, overcome.
Marcos highlighted that both countries are still bulwarks of democracy and are now among the most rapidly developing economies, saying, The Philippines is also committed to being a force for good.
