New Delhi, Oct 5 : Visiting Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday said that the Philippines is looking to push forward its cultural, economic and political ties with India.

"India has played a very important influence in the culture of Philippines way back before the Spanish colonized us. We want to revive our cultural ties,” she said after receiving a ceremonial reception in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“India is now the fourth largest economy in the world and with that comes great responsibilities of India to her neighbours in the economic, political and security fields. And as one of the neighbours of India in the East Asian region, we are happy to be here to move the integration of our economies forward," she added.

Arroyo was received in the forecourt of the "Rashtrapati Bhavan" by her Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
She also paid floral tribute at Rajghat.

Later, Arroyo met Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

She is scheduled to meet Dr. Singh later in the day. Talks on trade and investment are on the agenda during the meeting with Singh.

India and Philippines are also expected to sign a joint declaration to fight terrorism.

Both countries are also expected to strike a deal to enhance cooperation in the field of renewable energy as well.

Arroyo, who is on a three-day visit to India, arrived in Mumbai on Thursday along with her seven Cabinet Ministers and a 41-member strong business delegation.

At a function organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Mumbai, Arroyo said that her country was bullish on 21st century India, whose growth story in recent years has also increased its obligations towards its neighbours.

She invited Indian business leaders to enhance their investment in the Philippines, particularly in the entertainment and pharmaceutical sectors.
Three memorandums of co-operation were signed between three Indian and Philippine companies, most of which were pharmaceuticals companies.

Diplomatic relations between India and Philippines were formally established in 1949. A treaty of friendship was signed between the two countries in 1954. (ANI)