PM Modi to Attend ASEAN-India, East Asia Summits in Manila From November 16 to 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manila from November 16 to 18 to attend the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st meeting of the ASEAN-led East Asia Summit process, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

MEA Secretary (East) Rupendra Tandon announced the visit during a special briefing in New Delhi, saying the Prime Minister would take part in the two summits and hold bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines.

PM Modi will also attend a dinner hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for visiting dignitaries ahead of the summit meetings. The government is also trying to accommodate a meeting with members of the Indian community in the Philippines, following requests from the diaspora.

ACT EAST POLICY IN FOCUS

Tandon described India's engagement with ASEAN as an important part of its Act East Policy, which seeks to deepen economic, strategic and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian countries.

"In addition to our very active bilateral relationships with all 11 ASEAN member states, we see our engagement with the ASEAN regional platform also as a key element or building block of our Act East Policy," he said.

This year's ASEAN Summit carries the theme "Navigating the Future". Tandon said leaders would focus on strengthening cooperation and building resilience to respond to changing regional and global circumstances.

The East Asia Summit, an ASEAN-led forum, will provide a platform for leaders to discuss international security and other issues of common concern. The meeting brings together ASEAN leaders and eight partner countries in an informal leaders-led setting.

TRUMP, LI QIANG AMONG EXPECTED ATTENDEES

The Manila meetings are expected to bring together several major world leaders. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to attend the 29th China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of Marcos, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

US President Donald Trump and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are also expected to participate, according to an earlier report by The Manila Times. The White House had confirmed Trump's planned visit to the Philippines on November 16, ahead of his scheduled trip to China for the APEC Summit in Shenzhen.

The Philippines is expected to host at least 19 leaders of countries and international institutions during the summit week.

MYANMAR CRISIS AND REGIONAL COOPERATION

The high-level meetings will begin on November 15 with an opening ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center. ASEAN leaders will review the Philippines' chairmanship and discuss ways to strengthen the bloc's response to regional and global challenges.

The agenda includes the crisis in Myanmar, alongside discussions with representatives of youth groups, businesses and ASEAN parliamentarians.

The summit will bring together leaders from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines. Myanmar will be represented by the Director-General of its Foreign Ministry's ASEAN Affairs Department.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva are also expected to address the plenary.

The related ASEAN Plus One summits will be held from November 16 to 17, with participation from Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, the United Nations and the United States.

With inputs from ANI