New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Philippines from November 16 to 17 to participate in two major regional meetings focused on economic cooperation, maritime security and regional stability. Modi will attend the 23rd ASEAN India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit in Manila on November 17, following an invitation from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Philippines is hosting the meetings as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2026.
The visit comes as regional leaders face several challenges, including political instability in Myanmar, maritime security concerns, economic uncertainty and growing competition among major powers in the Indo Pacific region. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the ASEAN India Summit will review progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. Leaders will also discuss cooperation under the ASEAN India Plan of Action for 2026 to 2030. The East Asia Summit will provide another opportunity for Modi to exchange views with regional leaders on political, economic and security developments affecting the wider region.
India considers ASEAN an important partner under its Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian countries through trade, investment, connectivity and strategic cooperation. Economic cooperation remains a major part of the relationship. India's trade with ASEAN is valued at approximately 122 billion dollars, according to Indian Foreign Ministry officials.
Both sides are working to strengthen economic ties through a review of the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement, which came into force in 2010. The review aims to improve trade arrangements and make economic cooperation more effective.
India and ASEAN have also identified digital connectivity, investment, energy security and emerging technologies as important areas of cooperation. Maritime security will be another important area of engagement. India and ASEAN have designated 2026 as the Year of ASEAN India Maritime Cooperation, reflecting their shared interest in strengthening maritime security, connectivity and cooperation across the Indo Pacific. Their partnership also includes defence cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster management, cybersecurity and efforts to combat terrorism.
The situation in Myanmar remains a major challenge for ASEAN and is likely to feature in discussions during the Manila meetings.
Myanmar's continuing political and security crisis has created difficulties for the regional organisation, which has been trying to promote dialogue and stability through its Five Point Consensus. India has reiterated its support for continued engagement with Myanmar rather than isolating the country.
Speaking ahead of Modi's visit, India's Ministry of External Affairs Secretary for the East, Rudrendra Tandon, said engagement remained necessary and that there was no alternative to maintaining diplomatic contact. India also supports ASEAN's efforts to engage with Myanmar's authorities and encourage progress towards stability. Myanmar is expected to be represented at the Manila meetings by the Director General of its Foreign Ministry's ASEAN Affairs Department rather than its head of state or government.
The wider Manila gathering will bring together leaders and representatives from ASEAN member countries and international partner nations. The 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings are being held under the theme Navigating Our Future, Together. Regional leaders are expected to address other concerns, including food and energy security, the welfare of migrant workers, transnational crime and online scams. These issues reflect the growing need for cooperation to address challenges affecting people and economies across Southeast Asia.
The gathering will also include discussions with major international partners, including the United States. US President Donald Trump is expected to participate in the ASEAN United States Special Summit on November 17. Indian media reports have also indicated that a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, could take place on the sidelines of the gathering. The group includes India, the United States, Japan and Australia. However, the final arrangements for such a meeting have not been officially confirmed.
ASEAN currently has 11 member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. Established in 1967, the regional organisation works to promote economic growth, political cooperation and regional stability. Its importance has grown as Southeast Asia plays an increasingly significant role in international trade and strategic relations. The Philippines will hand over the ASEAN chairmanship to Singapore on November 17, marking the end of its leadership of the regional grouping for 2026.
Modi's participation in the Manila meetings highlights India's efforts to deepen its relationship with Southeast Asia amid changing regional and international challenges. The discussions will provide an opportunity for India and its partners to strengthen cooperation on trade, maritime security and regional stability.