President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said the bilateral partnership between India and Philippines will strengthen in the years to come.In a message to his Filipino counterpart Benigno S. Aquino III on the eve of the country's 117th Independence Day, Mukherjee said: "India is delighted that the Philippines is a key partner in our 'Act East' Policy. Our close cooperation in economic, defence-security and cultural platforms reflects our mutual trust and understanding.""I look forward to working closely with you and am confident that our bilateral partnership will be further strengthened in the years ahead," the president said."It gives me great pleasure to extend to you and to the people of the Philippines hearty congratulations and good wishes," he added.