21 October 2019 – Indian President Ram Nath Kovind paid a 5-day State Visit to the Philippines from 17 to 21 October 2019 at the invitation of Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Philippine-India diplomatic relations in 2019.

President Kovind embarked the State Visit by a wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Park in honor of the Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

President Duterte and President Kovind witnessed the exchange of agreements on Tourism, Maritime, Science and Technology, and Culture. The Philippines and India expressed their commitment to work closely together to defeat and eliminate terrorism in all its forms. Both leaders issued a joint press statement.

During the State Visit, President Kovind participated in the Philippines-India Business Conclave and 4th ASEAN India Business Summit at Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City and unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Center for Peace Education at Miriam College in Quezon City in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Indian Nation.

Likewise, President Kovind met with the Filipino liver transplant patients and their parents who undergone treatment in India and Filipino beneficiaries of the Mahaveer Philippines Foundation, a long running humanitarian cooperation program between the Philippines and India. President Kovind interacted with the Indian community on the penultimate day of his visit.

Philippine Ambassador to India Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr. was present in most of the official functions of President Kovind during the State Visit.