A: Hey, what's up?
B: Just chilling. What's new with you?

A: You know the leaders of India and the Philippines? They're buddying up!
B: No way, really? What for?

A: Well, they're gonna work on defense stuff and other areas. The Indian prime minister and Philippine president just talked about it in New Delhi. This is a big deal because the last time a Philippine president visited India as a guest was 18 years ago!

B: Wow, that's cool! So, what did they talk about exactly?

A: They agreed to keep working together on defense and security. The Philippines is happy with their ongoing defense modernization too. It's like they want to be more ready for any situation.

B: That sounds serious... But why now?

A: Well, it seems there are some tricky things going on in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has a dispute with China. They had their first joint naval exercises over there recently. The aim was to improve their coordination and build up their shared marine abilities.

B: Whoa, that sounds intense! But I guess they need to be prepared.

A: Exactly! It's all about staying safe and strong together. Looks like good things are happening between these two countries.
----------------

The leaders of India and the Philippines have announced a strategic partnership to bolster defense, among other areas. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. held talks in New Delhi on Tuesday.



Marcos is paying a five-day state visit to India. This is the first time in 18 years that a Philippine president has visited India as a state guest.



Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said at a press conference that the two countries agreed to continue leveling up their collaboration in defense and security. He also said his country expressed satisfaction over the rapid pace of the Philippines ongoing defense modernization.



Modi said the two countries have decided to take their relations to the level of a strategic partnership. He added that a comprehensive action plan is being formulated to turn the partnership's potential into results.



The talks come amid China's stepped-up maritime expansion in the South China Sea, where Manila is locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing.



Against this backdrop, India and the Philippines held their first-ever joint naval exercises in the disputed waters on Sunday and Monday. The Philippine military says the two-day maneuvers featured a comprehensive series of high-level operations aimed at strengthening tactical coordination and joint maritime capability.
----------------

Quiz 1:
Who is visiting India for a five-day state visit, as stated in the article?
A. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
C. The leaders of Australia and Japan
D. The Secretary-General of the United Nations

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
This is the first time in how many years that a Philippine president has visited India as a state guest, according to the article?
A. 5 years
B. 10 years
C. 18 years
D. 30 years

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 2: C

Quiz 3:
What is the status of the relationship between India and the Philippines, as mentioned in the article?
A. Strategic partnership
B. Economic partnership
C. Political partnership
D. Cultural partnership

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 3: A