Putting the Past Behind

The President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s state visit to India on July 4-8 was a significant endeavour of both countries to upgrade their relations. The Philippines is an important ASEAN country but its ties with India are not at the same level as this country’s relations with some other members of the group. Neither India nor the Philippines have made sufficient efforts through the decades, even after the Cold War, to develop their bilateral economic, commercial potential or enhance ties in the security sector. There were inherent difficulties to do so during the Cold War because the Philippines was firmly tied with the United States especially during the more than two decades long –1965-1986---dictatorial rule of the current President’s father. However, even after the end of the Cold War the two countries were confronted with different priorities and pre-occupations to be able to seriously focus on each other. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s trip is indicative of a mutual desire to put the past behind.

This realization has also come because of the common difficulties that they face on account of China’s assertive approaches towards its neighbours. The Philippines, like some other ASEAN countries, has to confront these in the South China Sea while India is doing so in the Himalayas. The South China Sea dispute stems from Beijing’s consistent claim that it has historic rights over the waters and islands which are within a self-proclaimed ‘nine dash line’. This is a U-shaped line on Chinese maps of the South China Sea. The ‘nine dash line’ is rejected by other littoral states of the South China Sea, including the Philippines.

In 2013 the Philippines approached the Arbitral Council under the United Nations Convention of the Laws of Seas (UNCLOS) to rule on the legality of the ‘nine dash line’ Chinese claim. China did not participate in the Arbitral Council’s proceedings. In 2016 the Arbitral Council rejected the ‘nine dash line’. This meant that the claims of the littoral countries to the islands and shoals in the South China Sea and also those relating to the Exclusive Economic Zones assertions of these countries would not be influenced by the ‘nine dash line’. China rejected the Arbitral Council’s ruling. In the years since 2016 it has moved aggressively to undertake building artificial islands in the South China Sea and strengthening its military position in its waters.

India issued a statement in July 2016 on the UNCLOS arbitral council decision. It deserves to be quoted because it is relevant not only in the context of its ties with the Philippines but also because it enunciates India’s principled position on UNCLOS and freedom of the seas. Taking notice of the Award India stated “India supports freedom of navigation and over flight, and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS. India believes that States should resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability. Sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development. As a State Party to the UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans”.

The essential principle contained in the 2016 statement was reiterated in the Joint Statement which India and the Philippines issued after Modi’s discussions with Marcos Jr on August 4. Significantly, India and the Philippines decided to establish a ‘strategic partnership’ and also adopted a plan of action for the period 2025-2029. They agreed to establish contacts across a wide range of activities. As the Joint Statement noted “Intensifying dialogue through the various bilateral institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Trade and Investment, Counter-terrorism, Tourism, Health and Medicine, Agriculture and Financial Technology”.

The Joint Statement covers almost all aspects of inter-state relations. It sets the template for building a vigorous relationship even in the defence and security sectors. In this area it focuses on maritime security which is of utmost importance to both countries. This is because the Philippines is a country of many islands and India has a vast coastline and important interests in the Indo-Pacific region. In the defence area the Joint Statement records the two countries will undertake “the regular convening of institutional mechanisms including the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC) for dialogue on defence cooperation, with emphasis on defence industrial collaboration, defence technology, research, training, exchanges, and capacity building”.

In a media interview given during his visit to India the Philippines President praised Modi. He called him a very impressive man. It is good if leaders develop respect for each other. That smoothens the path of diplomacy but eventually countries act according to their national interest. It is apparent that India and the Philippines are now seeing a congruity in their interests and Marcos Jr also indicated that. He called India a leader in the digital space and thereby indicated that he wanted his country to be associated in this sphere with India.

Finally, it is noteworthy that the Philippines has purchased the Brahmos missile and was impressed with its performance during Operation Sindoor. It is probable that the Philippines will place more orders for the missiles from India in the future.