Prime Minister Modi’s Upcoming Visit to Indonesia for ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 6 and 7, where he will participate in the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits. The primary focus of this visit is to strengthen trade and security ties between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a bloc comprising ten nations in Southeast Asia.
This visit holds significance as it marks the first ASEAN-India Summit since both parties elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the previous year. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that PM Modi’s visit was at the invitation of Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia, and the current chair of ASEAN.
During his stay in Jakarta, PM Modi will engage with leaders from the ASEAN member states. The 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit are key events on his agenda. These summits provide a platform for leaders to review the progress of India-ASEAN relations and discuss future cooperation.
ASEAN is composed of ten member nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. India’s relations with ASEAN have been growing significantly, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, security, and defence.
One notable development is the agreement among finance ministers from ASEAN nations and India to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), which was signed in 2019. The aim of this review is to ensure that the pact is mutually beneficial. It is worth mentioning that there has been a trade deficit between India and the ASEAN bloc.
This visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its relationships with Southeast Asian nations and fostering regional cooperation on issues of regional and global importance. The meetings during these summits will provide leaders from both ASEAN and India with an opportunity to exchange views and collaborate on various areas of interest.
Overall, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Indonesia highlights India’s desire to deepen its engagement with ASEAN and the broader East Asian region, focusing on trade, security, and building stronger diplomatic ties in this dynamic part of the world.