Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will co-chair the 17th ASEAN-India Summit to be held on Thursday. The Leaders of all ten ASEAN Member States will participate in the summit which will be held in a virtual format.

During the summit, as per the Ministry of External Affairs,both sides will review the status of ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership and take stock of progress made in key areas such as connectivity, maritime cooperation, trade and commerce, education and capacity building.

The ASEAN leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen ASEAN-India engagement and in this context will note the adoption of ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2021-2025). COVID-19, post-pandemic economic recovery and important regional and international developments will also be discussed at the summit.

ASEAN-India summits provide the opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level. The Prime Minister attended the 16th ASEAN-India Summit in Bangkok in November last year.

However, the 17th ASEAN-India Summit will be the eighth ASEAN-India Summit attended by Narendra Modi as the Indian Prime Minister.

ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilizational ties. India’s Act East Policy, underlining ASEAN centrality, reflects the importance, India attaches to engagement with ASEAN.