New Delhi, July 22: The Philippine Ambassador to India, Jose L. Ignacio, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership on Wednesday, stating that today’s India is vastly different from the India of decades past and is rapidly progressing towards becoming a ‘developed nation.’
In an interview, Ignacio commended Modi’s role in strengthening the ties between India and the Philippines. He noted that the relationship between the two countries is currently at its peak, with significant potential for further enhancement.
Ignacio expressed, “I believe Prime Minister Modi is a highly respected leader worldwide, and the Philippines shares this sentiment. We are pleased that Prime Minister Modi met with President Marcos in Delhi last August. Their friendship and mutual understanding have flourished. Additionally, both nations share similar perspectives on global issues. Our priorities align on economic growth, rule of law, improved connectivity, energy security, food security, and digital public infrastructure.”
He added, “As a leader, Prime Minister Modi has accomplished a great deal for India. Today’s India is entirely different from what it was decades ago. We are witnessing India swiftly moving towards becoming a ‘developed nation,’ and the Philippines supports this journey. There are numerous opportunities for both countries to collaborate in achieving their respective development goals. We are glad that under the current leadership, the relationship between India and the Philippines continues to strengthen, and we credit Prime Minister Modi for this.”
The ambassador also highlighted the growing trade relations between the two nations, revealing that bilateral trade has surpassed three billion US dollars and is nearing four billion.
He stated, “I would say that the India-Philippines relationship is currently at its best and can be further improved. Our ties have strengthened significantly in recent years. We are now strategic partners, collaborating in various areas, including defense and military cooperation.”
Ignacio noted, “In the economic sector, our trade is consistently increasing. In 2023, we crossed the three billion US dollar mark and are now heading towards four billion. After more than a decade, direct flights between the two countries have resumed, leading to a notable increase in tourism. Our streamlined visa policy has also contributed to this growth. The Philippines has eased visa regulations for Indians, allowing them to visit for tourism or short business trips without a visa for up to 14 days. All these factors indicate that our relationship is robust, and a solid foundation has been laid for further advancement.”
Ignacio also mentioned the current visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Manila, where he is participating in the ASEAN-India Post-Ministerial Conference 2026, the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, and several bilateral discussions.
He remarked, “I would also like to highlight the significance of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s current visit to Manila. We attach great importance to this visit. Interestingly, the minister has visited the Philippines every two years in 2022, 2024, and now in 2026. We appreciate his regular visits as they provide both countries with the opportunity to discuss mutual interests in detail. He has recently met with our Foreign Secretary, His Excellency Secretary Lazaro.”
Ignacio concluded by expressing his satisfaction with the recent positive developments, including not only the ASEAN-India Post-Ministerial Conference but also the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting held just hours ago in Manila.
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