(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte will visit India next week to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Commemorative Summit (AICS) and attend activities commemorating India’s Republic Day.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Hellen De La Vega said in a press briefing on Friday, January 19, that President Duterte is expected to arrive in New Delhi on January 24.
The ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit will take place the next day.
She said President Duterte together with other ASEAN leaders will be welcomed by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind during lunch on that day.
According to De La Vega, the president is expected to speak during the summit.
She said the summit will consist of two sessions–the retreat session which will focus on maritime cooperation and security, and the plenary session which will tackle regional and international issues as well as the future course of ASEAN-India relations under the overall summit theme, “Shared Values, Common Destiny.”
On the evening of the 25th, a cultural program and banquet will be hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honor of the ASEAN leaders.
AICS, said De La Vega is the culminating activity for the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.
On January 26, India will celebrate its Republic Day with a ceremony and parade, and will have the 10 leaders of ASEAN as its chief guests.
ASEAN-India relations
ASEAN and India dialogue relations were established in 1992, with India becoming a full dialogue partner of the bloc in 1995.
Among the ASEAN-India priority areas for cooperation are trade and investment, connectivity, agriculture, tourism, culture, science and technology and climate change.
India, as an important partner of ASEAN in promoting regional peace and stability, was one of the first non-ASEAN signatories of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
India also participates in various ASEAN-led mechanisms including the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting+, and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
It was one of ASEAN’s top trading partners in 2016, with total trade volume amounting to $58.45 billion.
Last year, India was one of ASEAN’s top five partners in development assistance with funded projects and programs amounting to $55.5 million.
