Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked upon a two-day visit to Indonesia to attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit. The two summits will be hosted in Jakarta by Indonesia, the current Chair of ASEAN. The ASEAN-India Summit will be the first Summit since the elevation of India-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. It will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations and chart the future direction of cooperation. The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity for leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance.

Earlier, briefing media in New Delhi, Secretary East in Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar said, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit is the first one after the elevation of the India-ASEAN relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year. He said, that during the Summit, the Prime Minister will review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and provide them with further direction. Mr. Kumar said, India's relations with ASEAN are a Central Pillar of Act-East Policy as well as India's vision of the wider Indo-Pacific. He said, that during the Summit, the Prime Minister and other leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen the East Asia Summit mechanism as well as exchange views on matters of regional and international interests.