PH, INDIA ADOPT VISA-FREE TRAVEL RULES

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday announced that the Philippines and India have agreed to implement reciprocal visa-free travel schemes and resume direct flights starting October, as part of efforts to boost tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties under the newly launched Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

In a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, President Marcos said the Philippines has extended visa-free entry privileges to Indian nationals and invited more Indian tourists to explore the country’s diverse destinations.

“I reiterated our introduction of a visa-free country entry privileges and extended our invitation for more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines,” the President said.

President Marcos thanked Prime Minister Modi for introducing a parallel initiative that grants visa free-of-charge to Filipino tourists travelling to India, further promoting cultural exchange and tourism flows between the two nations.

“We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity,” the President added.

Tourism cooperation is among several bilateral agreements signed on the second day of President Marcos’ five-day State Visit to India.

The initiatives reflect the mutual desire to build stronger people-to-people links and encourage tourism, business travel, academic exchanges, and deeper cultural understanding between the Philippines and India.