President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with the Filipino community in New Delhi on Monday evening, Aug. 4, shortly after arriving for his five-day State Visit to India.
Speaking at a gathering held at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with India and improving the welfare of overseas Filipinos.
“Ang pakikipag-kamustahan sa ating Filipino Community ang tuwina’y pangunahin sa ating agenda,” he said. “Being with you reminds us and impresses once more upon us, that our overriding mission in every foreign visit is to improve the lot and the lives of Filipinos, both in our motherland and outside of the Philippines all around the world.”
The President praised Filipinos in India for excelling in diverse fields such as IT, engineering, maritime work, agriculture, textiles, and education.
“Ipinagmamalaki nating lubos ang inyong pagtataguyod ng magandang pangalan at pagkilala sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng inyong husay, galing, at pakikipag-kapwa-tao,” he said.
“You have made an excellent portrait of the Filipino to the rest of the world. Even across the vastness of India, you are cohesive, you are ready to lend support to each other, to our countrymen in need, and to the work of our Embassy.”
Marcos Jr. also highlighted recent initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, including visa-free entry for Indian tourists and efforts to establish direct flights between the two countries.
“You are also, in many ways, ambassadors of our country. Let us be exemplars of the aspirations and standards we set for ourselves as Filipinos, marching under the banner of Bagong Pilipinas,” the Chief Executive said.
