New Delhi, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Philippines from November 16 to 18 to participate in the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.
Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East) in the MEA, said during a media briefing in New Delhi that the visit would strengthen India’s engagement with ASEAN and advance its Act East policy.
“In addition to a very active bilateral relationship with all 11 ASEAN member states, we see our engagement with the ASEAN regional platform also as a key element or building block of our Act East policy,” Tandon said.
During his stay in Manila, Modi is scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit will follow the next day. Bilateral meetings with other leaders are also expected to feature in his programme.
Tandon said the Indian community in the Philippines had expressed strong interest in meeting the Prime Minister, and efforts were being made to accommodate the interaction in his schedule.
Highlighting the economic significance of the relationship, Tandon said ASEAN had emerged as a major trading partner for India, with bilateral trade with the region estimated at approximately $122 billion.
He said strong strategic ties with ASEAN member states, collectively and individually, were important for both sides, particularly amid rapid geopolitical changes. Such cooperation would strengthen resilience and contribute to peace and stability across Asia, he added.
Describing the East Asia Summit as a unique ASEAN-led grouping, Tandon said its participating leaders discuss global security and other issues of common concern in an informal setting. This year’s summit process is being led by the Philippines as ASEAN Chair and will be held in Manila.
The theme of this year’s ASEAN Summit and related processes is ‘Navigating the Future’. Leaders are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation and building resilience to changing regional and global circumstances.
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