Marcos, Modi Align Indo-Pacific Interests at 18th BRICS Summit

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi to reinforce the strategic partnership between the Philippines and India. The engagement took place on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026.

The meeting served as a high-level diplomatic touchpoint during the summit, where President Marcos Jr. participated in his official capacity as the current chair of ASEAN. While the discussions focused on the broader trajectory of the Philippines-India Strategic Partnership, the leaders utilized the forum to align their interests within the Indo-Pacific region. During the broader summit proceedings, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need for the bloc to deliver tangible outcomes, stating that the world now expects "concrete results" rather than just ideas and commitments as BRICS enters its third decade.

Regional Strategic Context

This diplomatic encounter is situated within India's broader "Act East" policy, which identifies the Philippines as a critical pillar for regional stability and growth. India currently maintains a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, a framework that prioritizes the expansion of trade, the enhancement of maritime security, and the development of regional connectivity. By engaging with the Philippines while Marcos Jr. holds the ASEAN chairmanship, India is signaling its commitment to a multilateral approach to security and economics in the Indo-Pacific.

Implications for the Indo-Pacific

The meeting underscores a deepening of ties between two key democratic nations in a region characterized by increasing geopolitical volatility. For the Philippines, the engagement reinforces its role as a regional leader and leverages its current leadership of ASEAN to secure stronger ties with a rising global power. For India, the dialogue provides an opportunity to solidify its influence in Southeast Asia and ensure that its strategic objectives regarding maritime safety and open trade are aligned with key regional partners.

Future Outlook

Moving forward, observers will be watching for the translation of these high-level talks into specific bilateral agreements. While the meeting established a positive diplomatic tone, the exact nature of future cooperation remains to be detailed in official joint statements. The continued alignment between the Philippines' ASEAN leadership and India's strategic outreach will likely dictate the pace of integration between the two nations in the coming years.