ASEAN Summit: PM Modi meets President Trump in Manila

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN-India Summit in Manila, Philippines.

It is the first meeting between the two leaders following a proposal to have a quadrilateral alliance among India, the US, Japan, and Australia.

The move to set up the quadrilateral comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. The US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region.

The brief interaction between Modi and Trump came ahead of their scheduled bilateral meeting tomorrow. The two leaders are expected to deliberate on a number of key issues of mutual interest including the evolving security situation in the Indo-Pacific region where Washington favours a greater role by India.

PM Modi was also seen chit-chatting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the reception for the leaders who have arrived here for the 31st ASEAN summit and related meetings.

He also held brief interactions with several other leaders who attended the reception hosted by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the mega SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City.

The prime minister as well as all other leaders wore Barong Tagalong, an embroidered shirt which is the national dress of the Philippines. Renowned Filipino designer Albert Andrada has designed the shirts.

Modi will attend the 15th ASEAN-India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold talks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

OneIndia News