Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. concluded a five-day state visit to India, during which India and the Philippines elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. The visit included key meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. The two countries exchanged agreements focusing on defense, space cooperation, tourism, and joint military exercises. President Marcos Jr. acknowledged India's growing indigenous defense capabilities, including the BrahMos missile deal, and expressed gratitude for the Indian Navy's rescue of Philippine nationals following a Houthi attack. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing freedom of navigation, with Modi extending support to the Philippines' ASEAN presidency. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached $3.3 billion in 2024-2025, with both sides aiming for exponential growth through joint working groups on trade and investment. Marcos Jr. described India as the Philippines' sixth strategic partner and highlighted the new era of multi-dimensional engagement. Concurrently, Indian Prime Minister Modi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming the intent to deepen the India-Russia strategic partnership amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict developments. Putin is expected to visit India at the end of August, as confirmed by India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who recently met with Putin in Moscow. Additionally, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with Putin, expressing China's consistent position on the Ukraine crisis and willingness to promote peace talks and further develop China-Russia relations.