PM Modi arrives in Philippines to attend ASEAN-India, East Asia summits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Philippines on Sunday on a three-day visit to the during the course of which he will attend this year's India-Asean Summit and the East Asia Summit.

The Prime Minister will have a tight schedule in the Philippines as besides attending the 15th ASEAN-India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14, he will have a series of other engagements including bilateral meetings with several leaders.

While the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit is likely to focus more on trade and investment related issues, leaders at the East Asia Summit are expected to deliberate on matters relating to maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation and migration.

In his maiden visit to the Philippines as the prime minister, Modi will also attend a reception by the Indian community and visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

IRRI is an institute of global repute where a number of Indian scientists are working. On India's proposal at last ASEAN-India summit at Lao PDR to host a conference on countering radicalisation, Saran said India was in the process of fixing dates for it. Saran said during the India-ASEAN Summit, the two sides will review the bilateral trade and investments and discuss important regional issues as well.

The 10-member grouping ASEAN and India comprise a total population of 1.85 billion people which is one-fourth of the global population. The combined GDP has been estimated at over 3.8 trillion dollars.

Trade between India and ASEAN stood at USD 65.04 billion in 2015-16 and comprises 10.12 per cent of India's total trade with the world. Apart from the 10 ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)