Health & Pharma Ties in Spotlight as Philippine President Marcos Begins India Trip

President Marcos is scheduled to meet Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, with discussions expected to touch on affordable medicine, health sector partnerships, and long-term cooperation in pharmaceutical supply.

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr arrived in New Delhi for a five-day state visit to India, placing healthcare collaboration and pharmaceutical access high on the agenda. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

President Marcos is scheduled to meet Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, with discussions expected to touch on affordable medicine, health sector partnerships, and long-term cooperation in pharmaceutical supply.

"I want this visit to bring concrete benefits for the Filipino people, such as more affordable medicine and greater connectivity and food security," President Marcos said, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

He further stated, "There is much potential for cooperation with India that will mutually benefit our peoples," highlighting areas such as defence, trade, health, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, tourism, and digital connectivity for possible collaboration.

Apart from health, the visit includes talks with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Today, Marcos is set to hold bilateral talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House following a wreath-laying at Rajghat. Exchange of memoranda and press statements is expected to follow.

The Philippine President is accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation including Cabinet Ministers. He was welcomed at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.

“Mabuhay, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.! President Bongbong Marcos has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Received by MoS Pabitra Margherita and accorded a warm welcome. India & the Philippines are celebrating 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties. This visit will lead to further strengthening of India-Philippines relations,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X.

President Marcos’ official engagements began soon after his arrival in the capital. Meetings with key Indian leaders are expected to address a broad range of areas including trade, investment, security, defence, digital technologies, and regional cooperation.

According to the Philippine President’s office, "Both leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest."

The MEA described the Philippines as a key partner in India’s Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR, and Indo-Pacific strategy, adding that the relationship is anchored not only in strategic interests but also in “deep historical and cultural ties.”

"Our bilateral relations have seen a measured and stable development that is both comprehensive in scope and multifaceted in nature," Marcos said.

He is also scheduled to visit Bengaluru to continue discussions with Indian industry leaders and strengthen business ties. According to the MEA, the visit is expected to “set the path for future bilateral cooperation” and reinforce shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines were formally established in November 1949. Relations deepened further under India’s Look East Policy launched in 1992, later expanded into the Act East Policy, especially through ASEAN-led frameworks.

President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi last met briefly on the sidelines of the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit in Lao PDR in October 2024, and earlier during the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta in 2023.

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