India and the Philippines expand partnership to drive digital and economic resilience

India and the Philippines have elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, targeting deeper collaboration across digital infrastructure, trade, and security. At the centre is a shared push to accelerate e-governance, financial inclusion, and resilient digital systems backed by robust cybersecurity standards.

The agreement also builds momentum in science, technology, and innovation through joint research, skills development, and the 2025–2028 cooperation programme. Emerging sectors such as space, nuclear energy, medtech, and edutech are flagged as growth engines, with academia, industry, and startups expected to play a critical role.

Trade remains a key pillar, with bilateral flows reaching $3.3bn in 2024–25. Both nations aim to diversify investment and expedite preferential trade agreements, positioning themselves to weather global volatility while reducing reliance on Western economies. For the Philippines, this provides a strategic counterbalance to major powers, while for India it extends its influence deeper into Southeast Asia.

This alignment is more than symbolic—it marks a recalibration of economic and technological strategy as both countries navigate global uncertainty and shifting alliances.

Read the full article to explore the strategic opportunities behind this partnership.