BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: 18th ASEAN-India Summit and 16th East Asia Summit

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi will attend 18th ASEAN-India Summit to be held
virtually on October 28, 2021 at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei. The Summit
will be attended by Heads of State/Government of the ASEAN Countries.

The 18th ASEAN-India Summit will review the status of ASEAN-India Strategic
Partnership and take stock of progress made in key areas including Covid-19
& Health, Trade & Commerce, Connectivity, and Education & Culture.
Important regional and international developments including post pandemic
economic recovery will also be discussed. ASEAN-India Summits are held annually
and provide opportunity for India and ASEAN to engage at the highest level.
Prime Minister attended the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held virtually in November
last year. 18th ASEAN-India Summit will be the ninth ASEAN-India Summit to be
attended by him.

ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared
geographical, historical and civilizational ties. ASEAN is central to our Act
East Policy and our wider vision of the Indo-Pacific. The year 2022 will mark
30 years of ASEAN-India relations. India and ASEAN have several dialogue
mechanisms which meet regularly, including a Summit, Ministerial meetings and
Senior Officials’ meetings. External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar
attended the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and EAS Foreign Ministers’
Meeting in August 2021 virtually. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry,
Smt. Anupriya Patel attended the ASEAN Economic Ministers + India Consultations
held virtually in September 2021 where the Ministers reaffirmed their
commitment to strengthen economic cooperation.

Prime Minister will also attend the 16th East Asia Summit to be held on October
27, 2021 virtually. The East Asia Summit is the premier Leaders-led forum in
the Indo-Pacific. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role
in the strategic and geopolitical evolution of East Asia. Apart from the 10
ASEAN Member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of
Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia.

India, being a founding member of the East Asia Summit, is committed to
strengthening the East Asia Summit and making it more effective for dealing
with contemporary challenges. It is also an important platform for furthering
practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by building upon the convergence
between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s
Initiative (IPOI). At the 16th East Asia Summit, Leaders will discuss matters
of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security,
terrorism, Covid-19 cooperation. Leaders are also expected to accept
declarations on Mental Health, Economic recovery through Tourism and Green Recovery,
which are being co-sponsored by India.