President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in New Delhi, India, on Saturday to represent ASEAN at the 18th BRICS Summit and advance the bloc’s priorities on peace and security, inclusive growth and regional resilience.
The Presidential Communications Office said the plane carrying Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and several Cabinet secretaries landed at about 2:20 a.m. Saturday Manila time at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi.
Marcos will represent ASEAN as the Philippines holds the bloc’s chairship this year.
The Philippines also joins the summit as an “outreach country,” allowing the non-member nation to participate in discussions and dialogues.
This year’s summit carries the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” and marks the 20th anniversary of BRICS, which was established in 2006.
Marcos is expected to join world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Other Southeast Asian leaders expected at the summit include Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, whose country is a full BRICS member, as well as Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, whose countries are BRICS partners.
Marcos will attend the summit’s Open Session on Sept. 13, where he is expected to discuss the Philippines’ priorities and gains during its ASEAN chairship.
He will also raise pressing concerns affecting developing countries and emerging economies.
On the sidelines of the summit, Marcos is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen Philippine-Indian relations.
Their bilateral discussions will cover defense, trade, health, digital cooperation, tourism, connectivity and people-to-people ties.
Marcos will also meet Indian companies and business leaders to explore potential investments and expansion opportunities in the Philippines.
The business discussions will cover infrastructure, digitalization, information technology, pharmaceuticals, transportation and logistics.
Photo courtesy of PCO
Comments