New Delhi, Nov 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Manila, the capital of the Philippines, on November 16 and 17, 2026, to participate in two major regional diplomatic engagements — the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS).
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The visit comes at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as the Philippines holds the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2026 and hosts both summits on November 17.
The Prime Minister’s participation is expected to provide an opportunity to strengthen India’s engagement with Southeast Asian nations and advance cooperation on key regional and international issues.
ASEAN partnership remains central to India’s Act East Policy
India’s engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) continues to be a key pillar of its Act East Policy and broader vision for a peaceful, stable and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The upcoming visit assumes particular significance as India and ASEAN are observing 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The initiative highlights the importance of maritime connectivity, regional collaboration and stronger engagement across the Indo-Pacific.
The two sides will also approach another important milestone in 2027, marking 35 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations and five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
ASEAN-India Summit to review strategic cooperation
At the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister Modi and leaders of ASEAN member states are expected to review progress under the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss priorities for the next phase of engagement.
A key focus will be the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026–2030, which provides a framework for expanding cooperation across various sectors.
The summit will also offer an opportunity to assess ongoing initiatives and identify new areas of collaboration to strengthen India’s partnership with the Southeast Asian bloc.
East Asia Summit to discuss regional and global challenges
During the 21st East Asia Summit, Modi will join leaders from ASEAN and other participating countries to exchange views on important regional and international developments.
The EAS serves as a platform for dialogue on strategic, political and economic issues affecting the wider Indo-Pacific and East Asian regions.
The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity for participating countries to share perspectives on common challenges and explore ways to strengthen regional cooperation.
Manila visit to reinforce India’s Indo-Pacific engagement
Prime Minister Modi’s two-day visit reflects India’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN and its wider regional partners.
With maritime cooperation emerging as a major focus of India-ASEAN engagement in 2026, the visit is expected to further underline the importance of connectivity, strategic dialogue and a rules-based regional order.
The participation of the Prime Minister in both summits will provide an important platform to advance India’s diplomatic priorities and reinforce its role in shaping cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
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