Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day journey to Indonesia to participate in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) from September 6-7, according to an announcement by the External Affairs Ministry on Saturday. President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has extended the invitation to PM Modi for this visit to Jakarta.
This visit by the Prime Minister precedes the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 9-10, where India holds the presidency for the year. It’s worth noting that Indonesia played a significant role in the G20 as part of the ‘troika’ last year when it held the presidency.
The forthcoming ASEAN-India Summit holds special significance as it marks the first summit since elevating the relationship between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. The Foreign Ministry has highlighted that this summit will serve as an opportunity to assess the progress of India-ASEAN relations and establish the future trajectory of cooperation.
Additionally, the East Asia Summit will provide a platform for leaders from ASEAN countries and their eight dialogue partners, including India, to engage in discussions regarding regional and global matters of significance.
In August, ASEAN-India Economic Ministers convened in Indonesia, with a primary focus on the timely review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) signed in 2009. A joint committee agreed to conduct negotiations on a regular, quarterly basis, with the aim of concluding the review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2025.
This visit to Indonesia by Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows his earlier visit in 2018, at the invitation of President Widodo. During that visit, both leaders committed to enhancing cooperation across various sectors by establishing a New Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ushering in a new era in bilateral relations between Indonesia and India.
