PM Modi to visit Manila for ASEAN-India, East Asia summits on November 16-17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Manila on November 16 and 17 to attend the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS), with maritime cooperation, regional security and economic partnerships expected to feature prominently in discussions.

The visit comes at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, whose country holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year and will host both summits on November 17. This will be Modi's 13th ASEAN-India Summit since 2014. He had participated virtually in last year's meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the programme includes a dinner hosted by Marcos for visiting leaders on November 16, besides bilateral meetings on the sidelines. A meeting with members of the Indian community in the Philippines is also being considered.

Maritime ties and defence cooperation on agenda

The visit coincides with the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation, which focuses on strengthening maritime security, safety, connectivity and the blue economy.

Several initiatives have taken place this year, including the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise from September 28 to October 2. India also hosted naval chiefs and delegations from nine ASEAN countries during MILAN 2026, the International Fleet Review and the 9th IONS Conclave of Chiefs in Visakhapatnam in February.

Other engagements included the 7th East Asia Summit Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Kochi in October and the inaugural ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum in New Delhi. India has also expanded defence engagement through training programmes, naval port calls, joint exercises and equipment exports.

Trade, connectivity and regional security

At the ASEAN-India Summit, leaders will review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026-2030. Discussions are expected to cover trade, investment, digital transformation, disaster resilience, connectivity and development cooperation.

At the East Asia Summit, Modi is expected to discuss regional and global developments and reiterate India's support for an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. New Delhi will also underline freedom of navigation and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Cooperation against terrorism, cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, transnational crime and money laundering is also expected to feature.

India-ASEAN partnership looks towards 2027

India and ASEAN began Dialogue Relations in 1992, with ties progressing to a Strategic Partnership in 2012 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. ASEAN remains central to India's Act East Policy, with more than 40 dialogue mechanisms connecting the two sides.

Development cooperation has included more than 100 projects worth $35 million since 2014, while 237 Quick Impact Projects have been approved under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation mechanism. More than 500 ASEAN students have also received scholarships at Nalanda University.

The Manila visit comes ahead of a significant year for the partnership. In 2027, India and ASEAN will mark 35 years of Dialogue Relations and five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. ASEAN will also celebrate its 60th anniversary.