PM Modi to visit Indonesia to attend 20th ASEAN-India Summit

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to embark on a two-day visit to Indonesia from Wednesday to attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit.

The summit is being hosted by Indonesia as the current chair of ASEAN.

It will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations and chart the future direction of co-operation.

The theme of this year's summit is ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.

Briefing media in New Delhi on Tuesday, Secretary (East) in Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar said, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit is special since it is the first one after the elevation of India-ASEAN relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year.

"The Prime Minister will review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and provide them with further direction" he said.

Kumar said, India's relations with ASEAN are a Central Pillar of Act-East Policy as well as India's vision of the wider Indo-Pacific.

He informed that given that the G20 Summit follows shortly it will be a short visit of the Prime Minister.

Kumar said, that, "During the Summit, the Prime Minister and other leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen the East Asia Summit mechanism as well as exchange views on matters of regional and international interests".

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the East Asia Summit would provide an opportunity for Leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance". (UNI)