Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to Indonesia on September 6-7 to attend significant summits with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These meetings aim to strengthen India’s trade and security relationships with ASEAN countries.
Prime Minister Modi has been invited to Jakarta by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, as Indonesia currently chairs ASEAN. These important gatherings are taking place shortly before India hosts the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10.
The ASEAN-India Summit is especially crucial as it’s the first one since India and ASEAN upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. During this summit, leaders will assess the progress of India-ASEAN relations and plan future collaborations.
The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity for leaders from ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partners, including India, to discuss regional and global issues.
India views ASEAN as central to its Indo-Pacific policy and maintains significant trade and investment connections with key ASEAN members, particularly Singapore.
Previously, there were talks about a possible meeting between Prime Minister Modi and China’s leadership on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings. However, President Xi Jinping is not attending the Jakarta meetings, and the Chinese delegation will be led by Premier Li Qiang, who is also expected to head the Chinese delegation at the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi next week.