PM Narendra Modi to Visit Philippines for ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit on November 16–17
During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, both scheduled to take place on November 17. The meetings are expected to provide an important platform for India to strengthen its strategic engagement with Southeast Asian nations and other key countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
India-ASEAN Partnership at the Centre of Act East Policy
India’s engagement with ASEAN remains a key pillar of its Act East Policy and its broader vision for a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Over the years, India and ASEAN have expanded their cooperation across several areas, including trade, investment, maritime security, connectivity, infrastructure, digital technology, defence, education and cultural exchanges.
The upcoming summit assumes particular significance as India and ASEAN are observing 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The initiative highlights the growing importance of maritime engagement in strengthening regional connectivity, security and economic cooperation.
The year also provides an opportunity for both sides to deepen collaboration in the maritime domain, particularly in areas such as maritime trade, capacity building, marine resource management, security cooperation and sustainable development.
India’s growing engagement with ASEAN reflects the strategic importance of Southeast Asia in its regional and global foreign policy priorities. The partnership is also significant in the context of evolving geopolitical developments and the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific region in international affairs.
Review of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The 23rd ASEAN-India Summit will provide an opportunity for leaders to review the progress made in implementing the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
A key focus of the discussions will be the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026–2030, which is intended to provide a framework for advancing cooperation between the two sides over the next five years.
The leaders are expected to assess existing areas of collaboration and identify new opportunities to strengthen engagement in priority sectors. The discussions will also help chart the future direction of India-ASEAN relations, taking into account emerging regional challenges and shared development priorities.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides the institutional framework for expanding cooperation between India and the ten ASEAN member countries. It also reflects the mutual commitment to strengthening political, economic and strategic engagement.
The forthcoming summit will be particularly important ahead of 2027, when India and ASEAN will commemorate 35 years of Dialogue Relations and five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
These milestones will offer an opportunity to review the achievements of the partnership and explore new avenues for cooperation in the coming years.
East Asia Summit to Address Regional and Global Issues
Apart from the ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Modi will also participate in the 21st East Asia Summit on November 17.
The East Asia Summit is an important regional forum that brings together ASEAN member countries and other participating nations to discuss strategic, political, economic and security-related developments.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for Prime Minister Modi to exchange views with leaders from ASEAN and other participating countries on issues of regional and global importance.
Discussions at the summit are expected to focus on developments affecting regional stability, economic cooperation, security and the broader Indo-Pacific landscape.
India has consistently emphasised the importance of dialogue, cooperation and respect for international law in addressing regional and global challenges. Its participation in the East Asia Summit reflects its commitment to constructive engagement with regional partners and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Significance of the Manila Visit
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Manila comes at an important juncture in India-ASEAN relations, with maritime cooperation emerging as a major area of mutual interest and the 2027 partnership milestones approaching.
The two summits will provide India with an opportunity to reinforce its strategic partnerships, review ongoing initiatives and identify priorities for future cooperation.
The visit is also expected to further strengthen India’s diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asia and reaffirm the importance of ASEAN in India’s Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific region.
