Davao International Airport, Davao City
January 26, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte arrived at the Davao International Airport in Davao City after participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Special Commemorative Summit and India’s Republic Day celebration in the city of New Delhi.

This year marks the 25 years of ASEAN-India relations and the 15 years of India’s Summit partnership with ASEAN wherein President Duterte, together with the leaders from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, were invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chief Guests.

During his visit, President Duterte attended the release of a set of 11 ASEAN-India Commemorative Stamps led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ASEAN leaders also witnessed the grand parade during India’s Republic Day celebration to commemorate its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 and the signing of the Republic’s Constitution in 1950.

In his arrival statement, President Duterte shared a part of his productive visit in the Republic of India. “I am pleased to report that the Philippine and Indian business delegations forged a total of US$1.25 billion worth of investments which will create approximately 10,000 jobs. New business agreements in IT-BPO, tourism, hospitality and aviation, and pharmaceuticals promise positive change in the lives of our people, lalo na medisina,” he emphasized.

This is President Duterte’s first visit to the Republic of India as Head of State, and his first foreign trip for the year 2018.

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