Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with the US President Donald Trump and the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Monday. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN and related summits that are underway in the Philippines capital.
Foreign Secretary Dr S.Jaishankar told the Indian media last evening in Manila, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump shared their views on matters of bilateral, regional and global issues for over 45 minutes and emphasized on taking forward the two-way trade and investment relations even further.
The two leaders had detailed interactions with the latest developments in the Korean Peninsula, the Gulf, the Middle East and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.
The issues of proliferation linkages and terrorism also came up for detailed interaction between the two leaders. They discussed at length about the current situation in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the dispatch of wheat consignments to Afghanistan through the sea route and India’s commitments in improving irrigation, training and the housing needs of Afghan refugees who wish to return back.
Mr Modi also noted the arrival of first vessel from the US carrying crude oil to India. He renewed his invitation to President Trump to visit India. Dr Jaishankar said the dates of his arrival will be worked out through diplomatic channels. He said the meeting was held in a cordial and comfortable atmosphere.
In the bilateral, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accompanied by the National Security Advisor, Foreign Secretary and senior officials. President Donald Trump was accompanied by the Secretary of State and other senior officials.
In the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, it was agreed that bilateral cooperation in areas of terrorism and boosting trade and investment could be further enhanced.
Four agreements were signed by both the countries in areas including Defence Cooperation and Logistics, agriculture, Micro, Medium and Small Enterprises-MSME and forging closer relations between the Indian Council of World Affairs and the Philippines Foreign Service Institute.
As both the countries are victims of terrorism, it was decided by both the leaders to enhance cooperation in checking the scourge of terror. It was decided to establish a chair of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations in the Philippines University, as told by Ms Preeti Saran, Secretary – East in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Earlier on Monday, the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was attended by more than 1200 business delegates. An equal number of people of Indian origin took part in the community reception later.
AIR correspondent reports, the bilateral component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Philippines comes after 36 years. It may be noted that in the Indo-Philippine bilateral meet, President Duterte was accompanied by five of his senior cabinet colleagues.
Observers say it testifies to the importance India is being given by the leadership of the host country.
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting the heads of states of Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Brunei Darussalam.
The entire strategic landscape in the region and enhancing economic relationships are expected to be discussed during the bilateral meetings.
Today, he will take part in the 12th East Asia Summit, the 15th ASEAN-India Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation RCEP leaders meeting as well, before winding up his three day tour.