Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manila, the Philippines, on November 16 and 17 following an invitation from Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Ministry of External Affairs announced. During his two-day visit, Modi will participate in the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, both scheduled for November 17. The Philippines is hosting these important regional gatherings in its capacity as the Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2026. The visit highlights the importance India attaches to its engagement with Southeast Asian countries, with ASEAN continuing to serve as a central pillar of New Delhi’s Act East Policy and its broader vision for the Indo-Pacific region.
The ASEAN-India Summit will provide an opportunity to assess progress in implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2026-2030. Leaders are also expected to discuss future priorities and ways to expand cooperation between the two sides. Meanwhile, the East Asia Summit will bring together leaders to exchange perspectives on important regional and international developments alongside ASEAN members and other participating nations. The visit comes as India and ASEAN observe 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. Both sides are also preparing to commemorate 35 years of Dialogue Relations and five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2027, reflecting the continued development of their relationship.
