PM Modi to virtually attend 18th ASEAN-India summit today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Thursday attend the 18th ASEAN-India Summit via video conferencing. As per the official release, the East Asia Summit is the premier leaders-led forum in the Indo-Pacific, news agency ANI reported. 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, ANI reported the release as saying.

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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 said that PM Modi will review the status of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership at the 18th ASEAN-India Summit. He is participating in the summit at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei.

The Prime Minister will take stock of progress made in key areas including Covid-19, health, trade and commerce, connectivity, and education and culture, ANI reported.

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ASEAN-India summits are held annually and provide the opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level.

PM Modi attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually in November last year. The latest edition will be the ninth ASEAN-India Summit to be attended by him.

ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical, and civilisational 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.