On the invitation of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will represent India at the 15th India-ASEAN Summit and 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday in Manila, according to a press statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs. The India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit, as the event is officially known, is an international trade meet in which India holds dialogue with the ASEAN nations to celebrate New Delhi’s diplomatic relations with these countries. “At the 15th India-ASEAN Summit, the prime minister and ASEAN Leaders will review the commemorative activities undertaken in 2017 to mark the 25 years of India’s dialogue partnership with ASEAN, as well as review the broad spectrum of India-ASEAN cooperation in all its aspects,” the foreign ministry statement said. The statement mentioned that trade between India and ASEAN nations stood at $71 billion in 2016-17, and comprises 10.85 percent of India’s total trade with the world. “Early conclusion of a balanced Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will further boost our trade and investment ties with the region,” it said. [caption id=“attachment_4208733” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN Summit on Monday. PTI[/caption] The East Asia Summit, the first edition of which was held in Malaysia in 2005, is a forum held annually by leaders of 18 countries including the ASEAN nations, India, US, and Russia. The participating members of the 12th East Asia Summit are Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, US, and Vietnam. “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,” the foreign ministry statement said. “At the 12th East Asia Summit, leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation, irregular migration, etc. The leaders are also expected to accept declarations on countering the spread of terrorist narratives, anti-money-laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, and poverty alleviation,” it added. Following the East Asia Summit on Tuesday, Modi would be also attending a ’leaders’ meeting’ on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. With inputs from agencies
Narendra Modi at East Asia Summit updates: PM reiterates anti-terror pitch in Manila, invites ASEAN leaders to Republic Day celebrations
On the invitation of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will represent India at the 15th India-ASEAN Summit and 12th East Asia Summit on Tuesday in Manila, according to a press statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs.
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PM Modi emplanes for Delhi
PM raises anti-terror pitch at ASEAN, says East Asia must unite against menace of terrorism
Narendra Modi attends Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit
PM Modi met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on sidelines of East Asia Summit
Outcome document of 12th East Asia Summit
Justin Trudeau raised Rohingya crisis issue at East Asia Summit
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the plight of Rohingya refugees and extra-judicial killings in the Philippines at the summit, sensitive human rights issues skirted by almost all the others.
ASEAN a symbol of peace and prosperity: PM Modi
“ASEAN began in times of a great global divide, but today as it celebrates its Golden Jubilee, it shines as a beacon of hope; a symbol of peace and prosperity: Narendra Modi at the 12th East Asian Summit in Manila.
Narendra Modi’s itinerary for the day
06:30: Meeting with PM of Australia
07.30 Meeting with PM of Vietnam
08:00: Meeting with PM of Japan
08:45: Meeting with Sultan of Brunei;
09:00: Meeting with PM of New Zealand;
11:00: 12th East Asia Summit;
13:15: RCEP Leader’s Meetings;
14:30: 15th ASEAN India Summit;
16:50: Enplane for Delhi
(IST)
Donald Trump skips East Asia, sends Rex Tillerson instead
Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he delivered his prepared remarks during a lunch with the leaders instead.Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday’s summit in his place, a senior White House official said, adding the event was running too late.
12th East Asia Summit underway in Manila
Filipino newspapers focus on Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte
Modi attends 12th East Asia Summit
12th East Asia Summit begins in Manila
US-Japan-India-Australia quadrilateral effective counterweight to China, but foolhardy to underestimate Beijing
China is not naive as to not understand that the United States is the sole military superpower in the world and outspends the next 26 countries in its annual defence budget. Besides, China has a flourishing trade with all four ‘quad’ countries, often with huge surpluses, which could come under question if it flexes its muscles. All four countries collectively putting pressure on China to balance out the trade could be their next move as they consolidate the gains.
Read full analysis hereThe relationship between India and the US goes beyond mutual interest and can be beneficial for Asia and the humanity at large, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told President Donald Trump on Monday, who described him as a “friend” who is “doing a great job”.
Modi’s comments came ahead of his bilateral talks with Trump on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit here during which the two leaders discussed a range of key issues including defence and security.
“The relations between India and the US are growing… and I also feel that the relationship between India and the US is not only for mutual interest. It goes beyond that. We are working together for the interest, for the future of Asia and for the humanity as a whole in the world,” Modi said.
In the meeting with Turnbull, Modi is also understood to have discussed convergence of strategic interest of both the countries in the Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s aggressive military posturing in the region.
Officials of India, Australia, the US and Japan had met on Sunday to give shape to the proposed quadrilateral to pursue their common security interest in the region.
The India-US relationship is going to get stronger and better under the Trump administration in a wide range of areas, including regional security issues, trade and economy, terrorism, a senior White House official has said.
“India is a natural ally of the United States, because of the shared commitment to democracy and to counter-terrorism, and because the region is so vital to the US security,” Raj Shah, the White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, told a group of Indian reporters on Monday.
India, Philippines sign deals on defence, agariculture co-operation
MEA’s secretary (East), Preeti Saran said the pact on defence cooperation was a significant outcome as it will boost cooperation in various spheres including in the areas of logistics. The other pacts will facilitate deeper cooperation in areas of agriculture and micro and small industries.
Terrorism is a common threat to India and Philippines
Identifying terrorism as a major threat facing the two countries and the region, the two leaders also resolved to expand bilateral cooperation to effectively deal with the challenge.
“Both the leaders said scourge of terrorism has to be dealt with effectively. It is a very important outcome,” Secretary (East) in the exernal affairs ministry Preeti Saran told reporters.
Narendra Modi met Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 12th East Asia Summit
Trade between India and the Philippines currently stands at $1.981 billion in 2016-17. India’s exports to the Philippines amount to $1487 million and imports worth $494 million. The fact that India formally signed the Trade in Services & Trade in Investments Agreement with ASEAN in 2014 is anticipated to further boost these figures.
Narendra Modi first PM to visit country in 36 years
The relevance of meeting with Duterte stems from the fact that Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit the Philippines in over 36 years. This meeting between the two leaders comes in the backdrop of cordial relations between the two nations.
Read: Indian community in Philippines
Modi said that demonetisation coupled with measures like linking of the Aadhaar number with bank accounts has led to formalisation of a big part of the Indian economy.
“We are using our unique ID system in financial transactions and taxation for this purpose and the results are already visible.”
“These steps, coupled with demonetisation of high value notes, has resulted in fomalising a large part of our economy. The number of new tax payers filing income tax returns has more than doubled. Digital transactions have increased by 34 percent as we march together to a less-cash economy,” he said.
The trade ties between India and ASEAN are on an upswing and both sides want to further boost the trade and investment cooperation.
“The ‘Act East’ policy of my government puts this region at the centre of our engagement. We have exceptionally good political and people-to-people relations with each and every country in the ASEAN region,” he said.
The ASEAN region along with India together comprises combined population of 1.85 billion people, which is one fourth of the global population and their combined GDP has been estimated at over $3.8 trillion.
Investment from ASEAN to India has been over $70 billion in the last 17 years accounting for more than 17 percent of India’s total FDI. He listed a host of infrastructural projects currently under consideration, while inviting investors from the ASEAN nations to boost regional cooperation for mutual growth.
He said India is organising an ASEAN–India Connectivity Summit in New Delhi next month with ministers, officials and business representatives from all ASEAN countries. India is also organising an ASEAN–India Commemorative Summit of ASEAN leaders in January next year.
India has climbed 30 places in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index this year. It is the biggest jump by any country this year and a recognition of India’s long term reform trajectory.
And, the world is taking notice:
- We have moved up 32 places in the last two years in the Global Competi- -tiveness Index of the World Economic Forum;
- We have also moved up 21 places on the Global Innovation Index of WIPO in two years.
- We have moved 19 places on the Logistics Performance Index of 2016 of World Bank
A look back at the diplomatic ties between India and Philippines
Narendra Modi meets new New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern
Had productive meeting with Narendra Modi, tweets Malcolm Turnbull
09:00: Meeting with PM of Australia; 1000 Meeting with PM of Vietnam
10:30: Meeting with PM of Japan
11:15: Meeting with Sultan of Brunei;
11:30: Meeting with PM of New Zealand;
13:30: 12th East Asia Summit;
15:45: RCEP Leader’s Meetings;
17:00: 15th ASEAN India Summit;
19:10: Enplane for Delhi
(Manila Local time)
Brunei, an important friend, says India
Narendra Modi hails the commonalities between India and Philippines
Speaking at the ASEAN Summit on Monday, Modi said:
There is a lot that India and the Philippines share in common:
• We are both pluralistic societies and vibrant democracies.
• Our economies are among the fastest growing economies in the world.
• We have large, young and aspiring populations that are innovative and entreprsing.
• The Philippines is a services power house just as India is.
And, just as in India, here in Philippines also, the government wants to see change, bring about inclusive growth, Develop infrastructure, and fight corruption. No wonder so many of our top IT companies have invested here. They are creating thousands of jobs and promoting the Philippines services sector world-wide.
Modi met his Vietnamese counterpart, discuss ways to strengthen ‘strategic partnership’
India and ASEAN hold regular dialogues
“India and ASEAN have 30 dialogue mechanisms which meet regularly, including a Summit and 7 Ministerial meetings in Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Tourism, Agriculture, Environment, Renewable Energy and Telecommunications,” an MEA press release said.