NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Manila from November 16 to 18 to participate in the 23rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.
Briefing the media in New Delhi, MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon emphasized that New Delhi views its engagement with the 11-member regional bloc as a foundational pillar of India’s Act East policy, complementing active bilateral ties with individual member states.
Summit Itinerary and Bilateral Engagements
Hosted by the Philippines under this year’s ASEAN theme, “Navigating the Future,” the visit will combine multilateral deliberations with bilateral diplomacy and community outreach:
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Official Schedule: Prime Minister Modi’s itinerary in Manila will begin with an official dinner hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for visiting dignitaries, followed the next day by the ASEAN-India Summit, the East Asia Summit, and a series of bilateral meetings with participating world leaders.
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Diaspora Interaction: Officials noted strong interest from the Indian community in the Philippines to meet the Prime Minister, with plans underway to accommodate a community interaction within his official schedule.
Strategic and Economic Significance
Highlighting the growing depth of regional cooperation, the MEA underscored the shared maritime and commercial priorities linking India and Southeast Asia:
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Expanding Trade Ties: ASEAN has emerged as a major economic partner for India, with total bilateral trade across the region standing at approximately $122 billion.
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Regional Stability: As an Indian Ocean nation bordering the Southeast Asian maritime zone, India regards a resilient strategic partnership with ASEAN as vital for navigating rapid geopolitical shifts and promoting long-term peace and stability across Asia.
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East Asia Summit Focus: Led by the Philippines as ASEAN Chair, the East Asia Summit will bring together regional leaders in an informal setting to address global security developments and shared strategic concerns.
