Marcos Hails Filipinos In India, Vows More Direct Flights

President Marcos hailed Filipinos in India for presenting “an excellent portrait” of their compatriots “to the rest of the world” by exceling in different fields, including information technology, engineering and marine agriculture.

Marcos voiced his compliment during a meeting with the Filipino community at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi on Monday, Aug. 4.

There are 1,356 registered Filipinos in India, a number of them married to Indian nationals and are practicing professionals, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“Our community also includes Filipino professionals in diverse fields such as international organizations, the IT industry, engineering, marine agriculture, textiles, the academe, think tanks,” he said.

With the President in his five-day state visit to India were First Lady Liza Marcos, several Cabinet officials and Philippine Ambassador to India Josel Ignacio.

Marcos’ state visit – from Aug. 4 to 8 – was upon the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Marcos told Filipinos and their families that his administration is bridging and facilitating travel and people-to-people ties between the two nations.

Last year, the Philippine embassy in India launched the e-visa, which has greatly eased the visa process, the President said.

“But we did not stop there. We launched the visa-free entry scheme for Indian tourists last June,” he said.

“These will be complemented soon by the recovery of direct flights, led by Air India,” Marcos said.

Direct flights

He said the Philippines is determined to expand the direct flights to other carriers and to link more Philippine and Indian cities.

Despite the absence of a migrant workers office in India, Marcos said the Philippine embassy is “steadfastly” looking after the welfare and rights of Filipinos, with the assistance of honorary consulates general in Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata.

The President’s meeting with the Filipino community came hours before he and the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of several pacts, including a social security agreement, at the Hyderabad House.

Marcos also announced that the bilateral relationship between the two nations would have “a major upgrade,” as he and Modi would inaugurate a strategic partnership.

“This means that from now on, our cooperation will intensify further and become even more impactful in many, many areas that we had not explored with India before such as defense, trade and investment, health, tourism, other areas,” the President said.

Marcos said meeting Filipinos has always been a top priority in all his foreign trips. Marcos’ visit to India is his 36th foreign trip since assuming office in 2022.

“Wherever we go, interacting with our Filipino community is always top of our agenda,” the Chief Executive said.

“Being with you reminds us and impresses once more upon us, that our overriding mission in every foreign visit is to improve the lot and the lives of Filipinos, both in our motherland and outside of the Philippines all around the world,” he said.

PMA cadets

Meanwhile, the Philippine Military Academy has sent four of its cadets to India’s premier military institutions for the first time, to undergo four-year foreign pre-commission training.

Bound for the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune are Cadet 3rd Class Jassan Renzo Mamintal and Cadet 3rd Class Kian Leoj Mago. Their training is covered by the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program and will conclude in May 2028.

Cadet 3rd Class Henry Dumangas and Cadet 3rd Class Peter Jim Lagang have been sent to Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, Kerala to pursue Bachelor of Technology until May 2029.

According to the PMA, the cadets will not only benefit from world-class military education but will have the opportunity to get immersed in India’s rich culture – broadening their global perspective and preparing them for future service in the AFP.

The program marks a significant advancement in Philippines-India defense education partnership and aligns with broader efforts to promote cooperation in areas such as maritime security, digital technologies and capacity-building under India’s Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific strategy, PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said.

By participating in the bilateral program, the PMA contributes to the Philippines’ wider security cooperation engagements with India – enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual under-standing and supporting a shared vision for a secure, rules-based Indo-Pacific region, Valencia added. – With Artemio Dumlao