President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, as he formally began his state visit engagements in India.

Marcos was accorded arrival honors and was formally welcomed by Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The leaders will hold bilateral talks and several engagements to bolster ties between the two countries.

According to Marcos, his visit is a reaffirmation of the longstanding alliance and partnership of the Philippines and India.

“Well, we used to refer to the Asia-Pacific region. We now refer to as the Indo-Pacific region, which is I think a correct evolution of that understanding because of the global nature of all politics and of all trade and all of the economy,” Marcos said.

“And, I want to build upon what we already have now, but certainly to explore the many opportunities that have risen in the past two years because of the new technologies and the changing state of the global economy and the geopolitics around this (region),” he added.

After their meeting, Marcos and Modi will present to the media the newly signed agreements between the two countries.

This marks Day 2 of the President’s five-day visit aimed at deepening ties with the South Asian nation through a new strategic partnership.

On Monday, the President announced that the Philippines and India are set to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

Marcos’ visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Philippines diplomatic relations.

After his engagements in New Delhi, the President will fly to Bangalore, India’s technology center, to meet with business leaders. (PNA)