PM Modi embarks on three day visit to Philippines; to attend ASEAN summit

New Delhi, November 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday embarked on a three-day visit to the Philippines where he will attend the ASEAN, the East Asia and the India-ASEAN annual Summits. PM Modi will also have several bilateral meetings with world leaders.

 

Prior to departure, PM Modi said that this is his first bilateral visit to the Philippines. He said he will further participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits with an aim to continue deepening relationship with the ASEAN Member States, in particular, and with the Indo-Pacific region, in general, within the framework of Government's Act East Policy.

“Besides these Summits, I would also participate in Special Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders' Meeting and ASEAN Business and Investment Summit,” PM Modi added.

Notably, the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will boost our close cooperation to further enhance our trade ties with ASEAN member-states, which constitutes a significant 10.85% of our overall trade.

PM Modi further said, “During my first visit to the Philippines, I look forward to have a bilateral meeting with President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte. I will also have interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders.” “I also look forward to connecting with the Indian community in the Philippines. During my stay in Manila, I shall also visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation Inc. (MPFI),” The Prime Minister noted.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be accorded a warm welcome on his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Several other global leaders have also started arriving in the city to attend the most reputed annual summits in the Asia-Pacific region, having political, economic and strategic importance.

While in the ASEAN and the East Asia Summits, world leaders are expected to take up issues such as the radicalization and violent extremism, global and regional economic outlook, economic integration, women empowerment, migrant workers protection, malnutrition, climate change, youth welfare and poverty eradication.

Importantly, a number of declarations and statements on the subjects will be adopted to provide an impetus for collective and individual actions for the member states to address the issues. Officials also said that there is convergence of views between India and ASEAN on several subjects including choking terror funding, greater economic cooperation etc.