News Brief

PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually attend the 22nd ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)-India Summit on 26 October, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday (23 October).
PM Modi and the ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Strengthening the relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our Act East Policy and our Indo-Pacific vision, the ministry said.
According to a PMO statement, Modi held a cordial conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and congratulated him on Malaysia taking over the ASEAN Chairmanship.
During the discussion, PM Modi extended best wishes for the successful conduct of upcoming ASEAN-related summits under Malaysia’s leadership.
He also expressed his intention to join the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Since becoming Prime Minister, Modi will be skipping this key gathering of Southeast Asian leaders for only the second time.
In 2022, the then-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had represented India at the Summit in Cambodia.
The ASEAN summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur from 26-28 October.