Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to expand military cooperation, particularly in response to evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. President Marcos praised India’s advanced defence technology, especially the BrahMos missile project, and welcomed Indian support for submarine infrastructure and modernization of the Philippine military. Today’s defence discussions highlighted expanded joint training, service-to-service talks, and plans for more intensive maritime and coast guard activities, underlining a unified stance on regional security and a free, open Indo-Pacific. The exercises and agreements reached this week signal a new era of defence collaboration, boosting deterrence and strategic alignment in a tense geopolitical environment. These discussions were being held as three Indian naval ships were participating for the first time in joint exercises in the South China Sea alongside Philippine naval assets