Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 18th ASEAN-India summit to be held virtually on October 28, at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei, the government said on Monday. Modi will also attend the 16th East Asia Summit on October 27.
The summit will review the status of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership and take stock of the progress made in key areas including COVID-19, trade and commerce, connectivity, education and culture. “Important regional and international developments including post-pandemic economic recovery will also be discussed,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
ASEAN-India summits are held annually and provide an opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level. This will be the ninth ASEAN-India summit to be attended by Modi. He attended the 17th summit held virtually in November last year.
“ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties. ASEAN is central to our Act East Policy and our wider vision of the Indo-Pacific. The year 2022 will mark 30 years of ASEAN-India relations,” the statement said.
India and ASEAN have several dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly, including a summit, ministerial meetings and senior officials’ meetings.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar attended the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting and EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in August 2021 virtually. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel attended the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the India Consultations held virtually in September 2021 where the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic cooperation.
The East Asia Summit is the premier leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia. Apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia.
“India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing with contemporary challenges. It is also an important platform for furthering practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by building upon the convergence between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific Ocean's Initiative (IPOI),” the PMO said.
At the 16th East Asia Summit, the leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security, terrorism, COVID-19 cooperation.
