00:00The president and his working team landed in New Delhi mid-afternoon or early evening Philippine time.
00:05Unlike the usual, he put his meet and greet with hundreds in the Filipino community early on in his trip,
00:11after which he will get to work in securing deals on bilateral issues and investments from Indian businessmen
00:17and ringing support from Prime Minister Modi on a rules-based actions in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea,
00:24which our Kenneth Pashtenta narrates live in New Delhi.
00:30At 2.20 in the afternoon India time or around 4.50 p.m. in the Philippines,
00:35President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in India for his five-day state visit.
00:39This visit considered historic as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment
00:44of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India.
00:47Accompanied by First Lady Lisa Marcos, the president's aircraft landed at the Palam Air Force Station
00:53at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
00:56He was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to India, Josel Ignacio,
01:00Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Colonel Rolando Gomez, and several Indian officials.
01:05President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s state visit is expected to usher in a new era of cooperation
01:10between the Philippines and India across various sectors, including maritime security,
01:15defense, trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, digital innovation, agriculture, and tourism.
01:21During his visit, the president will hold meetings with Indian President Drupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
01:27and he will also lead various business engagements in New Delhi and Bengaluru.
01:31These meetings aim to strengthen partnerships in key sectors and encourage greater participation of Indian firms in the Philippine economy.
01:38I travel to India knowing that our commonalities will lead us to a deeper, broader, more meaningful bilateral cooperation,
01:46both in the immediate future and up to our longer-term horizons,
01:52that will ultimately serve the peace, the stability and prosperity for our two nations and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
02:01There is much potential for cooperation with India that will mutually benefit our peoples.
02:07We intend to explore these by charting a plan of cooperation across a broad spectrum of shared interests,
02:15from defense to trade, investment, health, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, agriculture, tourism, and many other areas.
02:23The president also emphasized the shared goals and aspirations of the Philippines and India on territorial issues,
02:30a matter that, according to him, could be further strengthened through this visit.
02:34Our geostrategic position as coastal states that border the busiest international trade routes
02:39and critical sea lanes of communications in the Indo-Pacific region,
02:44our shared interest in protecting the rights and welfare of our international seafarers,
02:50our steadfastness in upholding international maritime law, including the UNCLOS,
02:56and our unwavering commitment to regional peace and cooperation,
03:02serve as a credible foundation of our active and growing maritime cooperation.
03:09The president's trade and investment push continues as he prepares to attend various business meetings.
03:13I will personally lead a business delegation to New Delhi and Bengaluru to meet with the captains of their industries,
03:22especially in the IT sector, to explore potential investment opportunities for both sides.
03:28I want this visit to bring concrete benefits to the people,
03:32such as more affordable medicine and greater connectivity and food security.
03:37Tonight, the president attended a gathering with the Filipino community in India,
03:41where he assured them that the government will continue working to improve their well-being.
03:46According to DFA records, there are 1,356 Filipinos residing in India,
03:51most of whom are married to Indian nationals and working professionals.
03:56From New Delhi, India, Kenneth Paciente.
03:59From the National TV Network, for a new and better Philippines.
