ASEAN summit: PM Modi to meet Trump, Duterte in Manila today
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 50th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) anniversary celebrations and hold bilateral meetings with US President Donald Trump and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Monday.
According to a report, the 45 minutes meeting between the two leaders has been set for 3.30 pm local time (1 pm IST) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila Bay, where Trump is staying.
The meeting may also include discussion about Trump's daughter Ivanka's trip to India for Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad from November 28 to 30, an Indian Express report said.
Modi and Trump met informally on Sunday evening before a dinner hosted by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for leaders ahead of the ASEAN summit.
The meeting between PM Modi and President Trump will be significant as it will the first time since the idea of a quadrilateral grouping, involving Japan, US, Australia and India, has taken shape in recent months.
Thier Japanese and Australian counterparts - Shinzo Abe and Malcolm Turnbull will also be present at the summit and are likely to meet PM Modi.
The prime minister will also hold bilateral talks with Duterte on Monday. "During my first visit to the Philippines, I look forward to have a bilateral meeting with Duterte. I will also have interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders," Modi said in his departure statement.
"I am confident that my visit to Manila will give a new boost to India's bilateral relations with the Philippines and also further strengthen the politico-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars of our engagement with ASEAN."
PM Modi arrived in the Philippine capital on Sunday for a three-day visit, while US President Trump reached Manila later in the day as a part of his ongoing outreach to Asia trip.
This year marks 25th anniversary of the India-Asean dialogue partnership and India is likely to push the agenda of a global cooperation against menace of terrorism and radicalisation, while pitching steps to boost trade.
