PM Modi to Visit Philippines for ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits from November 16
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Philippines from November 16 to 18 to participate in the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced.
The visit will take place at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The two major regional meetings are scheduled to be held in Manila, with the Philippines serving as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2026.
The ASEAN-India Summit will provide an opportunity for India and the Southeast Asian regional grouping to review their partnership and discuss ways to expand cooperation. The discussions are expected to cover regional developments and areas of mutual interest.
The East Asia Summit brings together ASEAN member states and partner countries to discuss wider regional and international issues. It provides a platform for leaders to exchange views on political, economic and security matters affecting the region.
India regards its engagement with ASEAN as an important part of its Act East Policy. The partnership has developed across areas including trade, connectivity, maritime cooperation, digital technology and people-to-people exchanges.
During the visit, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders attending the summits. Such engagements provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and explore cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The meetings come at a time when regional countries are seeking stronger cooperation amid changes in the international political and economic environment.
India’s participation in the two summits is expected to reaffirm its commitment to working with ASEAN and other regional partners on issues of common concern, while strengthening its engagement with the wider Indo-Pacific region.
