President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with members of the Filipino community in New Delhi on Monday evening, shortly after arriving in India for his five-day State Visit.

The meeting with the Filipino community reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and continuing to support overseas Filipinos.

President Marcos described the gathering as one of the highlights of his visit.

“Ang pakikipag-kamustahan sa ating Filipino Community ang tuwina’y pangunahin sa ating agenda,” President Marcos said, addressing a diverse group of Filipinos and their families at the FilCom event held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi.

The President emphasized that the core mission of every foreign trip is to improve the welfare of Filipinos at home and abroad.

“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 said.

President Marcos is undertaking a State Visit from August 4 to 8 on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations with India.

The Chief Executive lauded the Filipino community for their contributions in diverse fields such as international organizations, IT, engineering, marine agriculture, textiles, academe and think tanks.

“Ipinagmamalaki nating lubos ang inyong pagtataguyod ng magandang pangalan at pagkilala sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng inyong husay, galing, at pakikipag-kapwa-tao,” President Marcos 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. Most importantly, you have displayed an unremitting support for our Republic,” President Marcos added.

The President also cited the recent launch of the visa-free entry for Indian tourists and the ongoing push for direct flights between the two countries.

“Kaya po ngayong gabi, ako ay nagpapaabot ng pasasalamat sa inyong lahat… 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,” President Marcos said.

The President was joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, Cabinet officials, and Philippine Ambassador to India Josel Ignacio.