Marcos in India for 5-day state visit

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos departed for India yesterday for a five-day state visit, where he aims to forge a “strategic relationship” with the world’s fourth largest economy and lure investments.

The President and his delegation landed at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi at 2:20 p.m. (4:50 p.m. Philippine time).

They were welcomed by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Harsh Kumar Jain and other Indian goverment officials.

Marcos was scheduled to meet the Filipino community yesterday.

There are approximately 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.

The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation left Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 10:44 a.m. First Lady Liza Marcos accompanies the President on his visit to New Delhi and Bangalore from Aug. 4 to 8.

Bersamin, Angara, Estrella caretakers

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Education Secretary Sonny Angara have been designated as government caretakers while the President is out of the country.

“I have with me several Cabinet secretaries who will make certain that the vision of a close strategic relationship with India will turn into a reality as soon as possible, as we make our commitments at the highest levels of government and of business,” Marcos said in his departure speech.

Marcos’ departure for New Delhi coincided with the first joint patrol by Philippine and Indian navies in the West Philippine Sea.

“I travel to India knowing that our commonalities will lead us to a deeper, broader and more meaningful bilateral cooperation, both in the immediate future and up to our longer-term horizons, that will ultimately serve (to promote) peace, stability and prosperity for our two nations and the wider Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

“With the Philippines being the oldest constitutional democracy in Asia and (India being) our continent’s largest democracy, our two countries share several core interests, such as our democratic ideals, our respect for basic freedoms and the preservation of a rules-based order in the international arena,” the Chief Executive said.

He said there is “much potential” for cooperation between the two nations that would mutually benefit both their peoples.

“We intend to explore these by charting a plan of cooperation across a broad spectrum of shared interests: from defense, to trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, agriculture, tourism and many other areas,” he said.

The President said he and his business delegation will meet leaders of different industries, especially the IT sector, to explore potential investment opportunities for both sides.

“I want this visit to bring concrete benefits to the people, such as more affordable medicine and greater connectivity and food security,” he said.

Marcos was scheduled to meet the Filipino community upon his arrival in New Delhi in the afternoon.

The President will hold separate meetings with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier, Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq said several Indian chief executive officers have requested to meet with the President in Bangalore, known as India’s Silicon Valley.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said she is excited about the opportunities Marcos’ Indian visit would open. “I am excited for the influx of the Indian market into the Philippines, and we will ensure partnerships with the private sector and tourism stakeholders in our destinations are ready for the Indian market,” she said at a briefing earlier. The tourism chief is part of Marcos’ retinue in India.

Marcos, Cabinet to tackle lifting of rice tariff

On the sidelines of his engagements in India, President Marcos will discuss with his Cabinet a proposal of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to increase tariff on imported rice and suspend all rice imports temporarily or for two months.

Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez, who is part of Marcos’ delegation in India, said the recommendation of the DA was meant to protect local farmers.

“The Cabinet will discuss this urgent matter with the President in India, on the sidelines of his state visit,” Gomez said in a statement. Asked about the tariff rate, Gomez said details would still be discussed.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed to The STAR that he has proposed to Marcos the halting of rice imports for 45 to 60 days to prevent palay prices from falling further. — Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas, Ghio Ong, Christine Boton