PM Narendra Modi will attend the virtual 18th ASEAN-India Summit on October 28, and16th East Asia Summit to be held on October 27 virtually.
He will attend the 18th ASEAN-India Summit at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei, the current chair of the bloc. The Summit will be attended by Heads of State/Government of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The 18th ASEAN-India Summit will evaluate the status of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership and take note of the progress made in major areas including COVID-19 and Health, Trade and Commerce, Connectivity, and Education and Culture, said an official statement.
Important regional and international developments, including post-pandemic economic recovery, will also be addressed.
ASEAN-India Summits are held annually and provide an occasion for India and the ASEAN to interact at the most powerful level. Prime Minister Modi attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually in November last year. The 18th ASEAN-India Summit will be the ninth ASEAN-India Summit to be attended by him.
The 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 statement said. The year 2022 will mark 30 years of ASEAN-India relations. 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 + India Consultations held virtually in September 2021 where the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic cooperation. Prime Minister Modi will also attend the 16th East Asia Summit to be held on October 27 virtually.
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, the 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 influential platform for promoting practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by building upon the union between the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI). At the 16th East Asia Summit, Leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security, terrorism, COVID-19 participation. Leaders are also expected to accept declarations on Mental Health, Economic recovery through Tourism, and Green Recovery, which is being co-sponsored by India, statement declared.