Modi to attend RCEP, ASEAN-India summits in Thailand

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Thailand from November 2-4 to attend the ASEAN-India summits, East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) meetings, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday.

Developing trade and technology links across the APAC region, especially with Singapore, is part of the BJP government’s Act East policy heavily endorsed by Modi, who has made multiple trips to the island nation over the past five years. He was selected as the keynote speaker for the prestigious Shangri LA Dialogue summit in 2018. Photo courtesy: PIB

Modi will be visiting Bangkok at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Secretary (East) Vijay Singh Thakur said at a media briefing.

He will also attend the 16th ASEAN-India summit, third East Asia Summit and 14th RCEP event, the Secretary said.

Negotiations for resolving outstanding issues on RCEP are going on in Bangkok, Thakur said, adding the leaders will review the state of negotiations at the summit.

Developing trade and technology links across the APAC region, especially with Singapore, is part of the BJP government’s Act East policy heavily endorsed by Modi, who has made multiple trips to the island nation over the past five years. He was selected as the keynote speaker for the prestigious Shangri LA Dialogue summit in 2018, where he touched upon the growing economic, social and political ties India has with ASEAN.

The RCEP bloc comprises 10 ASEAN group members (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos) and their partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.