Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will travel to India this week to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is set to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and engage with leaders of some of the world’s largest emerging economies.
Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will visit India from Sept. 12 to 13 upon Modi’s invitation, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Analyn Ratonel said in a Palace briefing Wednesday, Sept.9.
“The president will participate in the summit in his capacity as the 2026 ASEAN chair. And it is not an effort to seek any bilateral alignment with any nation,” Ratonel said.
“Ito po ang pagkakataon ng ating presidente to constructively engage major emerging economies. These BRICS countries, they represent major share of global output and trade. So ito po ay isang malaking oportunidad para sa atin,” she said.
[Translation: This is an opportunity for the president to constructively engage major emerging economies. BRICS countries represent a major share of global output and trade, so this is a significant opportunity for us.]
Originally founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – the acronym of BRICS, the group has since expanded to 11 members.
The DFA was asked about Marcos attending a gathering that includes China amid continuing tensions between Manila and Beijing in the West Philippine Sea.
Ratonel said closer dialogue between ASEAN and BRICS could open opportunities in trade, economic diversification, regional security and climate resilience.
“Creating synergies po doon sa priorities ng ASEAN and BRICS can lead to economic opportunities, trade diversification, regional security, and support for climate resilience,” she said.
[Translation: Creating synergies between the priorities of ASEAN and BRICS can lead to economic opportunities, trade diversification, regional security and support for climate resilience.]
Marcos is also expected to present the Philippines’ three priorities as ASEAN chair: peace and security, people empowerment and prosperity.
On the sidelines of the summit, Marcos will meet Modi to review progress in the Philippines-India strategic partnership and the implementation of the two countries’ five-year plan of action for 2025 to 2029.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss trade and investment, agriculture and other economic issues affecting both countries.
Marcos will also meet Indian business leaders to follow up on investment commitments made during his state visit to India in August 2025.
Ratonel said Indian companies announced around $5.8 billion in investment pledges during that visit, covering sectors including technology, health, energy and infrastructure.
She said BRICS membership is not currently on the agenda.
“That would require further study at this moment and close monitoring. And we would also follow the experiences of our fellow ASEAN countries na miyembro po ng BRICS,” she said.
[Translation: That would require further study and close monitoring at this point. We would also look at the experiences of our fellow ASEAN countries that are members of BRICS.]
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda and Finance Secretary Frederick Go are expected to accompany Marcos at the summit.
