Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Singapore this week to attend the East Asia Summit, ASEAN-India informal meet and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit. The Indian prime minister became the first head of government to deliver an address at the Singapore Fintech Festival, one of the largest events on financial technology, where he launched APIX, a banking technology designed to reach two billion people worldwide who are still without bank accounts.&nbsp;

PM Modi underlined the growing digitisation of the Indian economy and showcased India’s role in the shaping of global financial technologies which are not merely disruptive but also inclusive.

It is, however, the geopolitics and geo-economics of the changing Indo-Pacific which will be the focus of most of Modi’s engagements at various levels. The RCEP, accounting for almost 40 per cent of global trade, remains an important grouping for the 16 members — the 10-member ASEAN plus India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It is a rather ambitious undertaking and despite repeated calls for an early conclusion, it remains mired in multiple issues which are thorny in nature. Though progress on the negotiations has been slow since they began in 2013, the Trump administration’s protectionist policies have given the negotiations a new momentum. It is now being hoped that the pact may now be concluded next year. India too has found it difficult to generate a domestic consensus on RCEP and it is likely that tough decisions on tariff reductions will now be taken only after elections next year, though Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu underscored that New Delhi was “very happy that India’s concerns have been taken on board, and... country will benefit from it.”

The East Asia Summit will be India exploring wide-ranging issues pertaining to smart cities, IT, communication, maritime cooperation and terrorism with 17 other participating leaders. EAS has now emerged as the most critical multilateral framework in the Indo-Pacific where multiple stakeholders engage each other annually. The East Asia Summit, which includes India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, also gives India an opportunity to underline its credentials as an important stakeholder in regional developments.

PM Modi will also participate in the ASEAN India Bilateral Summit where progress in the goals set in the Delhi Declaration of the ASEAN India Commemorative Summit will be discussed. Addressing last year’s ASEAN-India Summit in Manila, Modi underscored India’s relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of its foreign policy. Referring to India’s Act East Policy, he had underlined that “its centrality in the regional security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region is evident”. In a symbolic move, all 10 ASEAN heads of State were invited to be guests of honour for this year’s Republic Day function. Targeting China, Modi had also assured ASEAN of “steady support towards achieving a rules-based regional security architecture that best attests to the region’s interests and its peaceful development.”

India has repeatedly underscored the centrality of the ASEAN in its Indo-Pacific vision. In his keynote address at the Shangri La Dialogue earlier this year too, Modi had suggested that India will promote a democratic and rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific with ASEAN at its heart, that allows free access to common spaces and is not limited to a ‘club of limited members.’

It is in this context, it is interesting that despite suggestions that nothing much has been happening on the Quad front, the third meeting of Quad countries — India, the US, Japan and Australia — at the joint secretary-level will also take place in Singapore. It is clear that these four nations do not want to let go of the momentum that is gradually building up. There may be little substance in the engagement at the moment but all four states remain keen to leverage it in some form.

The Indo-Pacific region is now central to global politics and economics, and recent days have merely reinforced the trends that have been emerging for some time. China is the most important player in the region, and Beijing is now more confident than ever of projecting regional and global power. In this, China has had the good fortune of having an administration in the US that lacks seriousness of purpose and is unable to communicate effectively its priorities for the region. This makes this period of transition very significant for countries like India that have a stake in the long-term stability of the region. As China’s profile grows, there is a new opportunity for India in the region. Unlike in the past, New Delhi is no longer diffident about engaging with other regional players if it helps to further Indian interests in maintaining a stable balance of power in the region.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-asean-furthering-india-s-interests-in-indo-pacific-2685730">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Singapore this week to attend the East Asia Summit, ASEAN-India informal meet and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Singapore this week to attend the East Asia Summit, ASEAN-India informal meet and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit. The Indian prime minister became the first head of government to deliver an address at the Singapore Fintech Festival, one of the largest events on financial technology, where he launched APIX, a banking technology designed to reach two billion people worldwide who are still without bank accounts. PM Modi underlined the growing digitisation of the Indian economy and showcased India’s role in the shaping of global financial technologies which are not merely disruptive but also inclusive. It is, however, the geopolitics and geo-economics of the changing Indo-Pacific which will be the focus of most of Modi’s engagements at various levels. The RCEP, accounting for almost 40 per cent of global trade, remains an important grouping for the 16 members — the 10-member ASEAN plus India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It is a rather ambitious undertaking and despite repeated calls for an early conclusion, it remains mired in multiple issues which are thorny in nature. Though progress on the negotiations has been slow since they began in 2013, the Trump administration’s protectionist policies have given the negotiations a new momentum. It is now being hoped that the pact may now be concluded next year. India too has found it difficult to generate a domestic consensus on RCEP and it is likely that tough decisions on tariff reductions will now be taken only after elections next year, though Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu underscored that New Delhi was “very happy that India’s concerns have been taken on board, and... country will benefit from it.” The East Asia Summit will be India exploring wide-ranging issues pertaining to smart cities, IT, communication, maritime cooperation and terrorism with 17 other participating leaders. EAS has now emerged as the most critical multilateral framework in the Indo-Pacific where multiple stakeholders engage each other annually. The East Asia Summit, which includes India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Russia apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, also gives India an opportunity to underline its credentials as an important stakeholder in regional developments. PM Modi will also participate in the ASEAN India Bilateral Summit where progress in the goals set in the Delhi Declaration of the ASEAN India Commemorative Summit will be discussed. Addressing last year’s ASEAN-India Summit in Manila, Modi underscored India’s relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of its foreign policy. Referring to India’s Act East Policy, he had underlined that “its centrality in the regional security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region is evident”. In a symbolic move, all 10 ASEAN heads of State were invited to be guests of honour for this year’s Republic Day function. Targeting China, Modi had also assured ASEAN of “steady support towards achieving a rules-based regional security architecture that best attests to the region’s interests and its peaceful development.” India has repeatedly underscored the centrality of the ASEAN in its Indo-Pacific vision. In his keynote address at the Shangri La Dialogue earlier this year too, Modi had suggested that India will promote a democratic and rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific with ASEAN at its heart, that allows free access to common spaces and is not limited to a ‘club of limited members.’ It is in this context, it is interesting that despite suggestions that nothing much has been happening on the Quad front, the third meeting of Quad countries — India, the US, Japan and Australia — at the joint secretary-level will also take place in Singapore. It is clear that these four nations do not want to let go of the momentum that is gradually building up. There may be little substance in the engagement at the moment but all four states remain keen to leverage it in some form. The Indo-Pacific region is now central to global politics and economics, and recent days have merely reinforced the trends that have been emerging for some time. China is the most important player in the region, and Beijing is now more confident than ever of projecting regional and global power. In this, China has had the good fortune of having an administration in the US that lacks seriousness of purpose and is unable to communicate effectively its priorities for the region. This makes this period of transition very significant for countries like India that have a stake in the long-term stability of the region. As China’s profile grows, there is a new opportunity for India in the region. Unlike in the past, New Delhi is no longer diffident about engaging with other regional players if it helps to further Indian interests in maintaining a stable balance of power in the region. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Furthering India’s interests in Indo-Pacific region

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-trump-in-manila-24102">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> left the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-did-trumps-charm-offensive-work-in-the-philippines-24160"> Philippines</a> on Tuesday without attending an annual East Asia Summit, due to delays in the schedule of the programme of meetings.

Trump told reporters on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-air-force-to-get-58-black-hawk-helicopters-from-us-24044">Air Force One</a> that he delivered his prepared remarks during a lunch with the leaders instead.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday&#39;s summit in his place, a senior <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-to-face-house-judiciary-panel-on-november-14-24132">White House</a> official said, adding the event was running too late.

The meetings in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/india-asean-summit-world-leaders-arrive-at-manila-6657">Manila</a> were approximately 90 minutes behind schedule.

U.S. President Donald Trump left the Philippines on Tuesday without attending an annual East Asia Summit, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday's summit in his place

US President Donald Trump left the Philippines on Tuesday without attending an annual East Asia Summit, due to delays in the schedule of the programme of meetings. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he delivered his prepared remarks during a lunch with the leaders instead. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday's summit in his place, a senior White House official said, adding the event was running too late. The meetings in Manila were approximately 90 minutes behind schedule.

Trump skips East Asia leaders summit, sends Tillerson

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump will hold bilateral talks here on Monday.

The two will hold the meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) India summit and the 12th East Asia Summit in the Philippine capital.

The two leaders also met briefly on Sunday as they arrived for the event.

Later, PM Modi and Trump also posed for a family photograph with others leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, participating in the event.

Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14. Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi&#39;s agenda during his visit.

Meanwhile, Philippines is the last leg of Trump&#39;s five-nation tour of Asia that also took him to Japan, China and South Korea.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will participate in special celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.

The Prime Minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines.

He will also visit the international rice research institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

&nbsp;

The two will hold the meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) India summit and the 12th East Asia Summit in the Philippine capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump will hold bilateral talks here on Monday. The two will hold the meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) India summit and the 12th East Asia Summit in the Philippine capital. The two leaders also met briefly on Sunday as they arrived for the event. Later, PM Modi and Trump also posed for a family photograph with others leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, participating in the event. Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day visit to Manila to attend the ASEAN India summit and East Asia Summit on November 14. Terror and Trade related issues will be on top of Modi's agenda during his visit. Meanwhile, Philippines is the last leg of Trump's five-nation tour of Asia that also took him to Japan, China and South Korea. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will participate in special celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. The Prime Minister will also attend the ASEAN business and investment summit on November 13 and regional comprehensive economic partnership meeting on November 14 in Manila. Prime Minister Modi will also meet the members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by the Indian envoy in Philippines. He will also visit the international rice research institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation.

PM Modi, Trump to hold bilateral talks in Manila

US President Donald Trump has decided at the last minute to extend a marathon trip to Asia, after criticism that he was expected to miss an East Asia regional summit.

&quot;We&#39;re actually staying an extra day in the Philippines,&quot; Trump said on departure Friday, a decision that was confirmed by senior White House officials.

US President Donald Trump has decided at the last minute to extend a marathon trip to Asia, after criticism that he was expected to miss an East Asia regional summit

US President Donald Trump has decided at the last minute to extend a marathon trip to Asia, after criticism that he was expected to miss an East Asia regional summit. "We're actually staying an extra day in the Philippines," Trump said on departure Friday, a decision that was confirmed by senior White House officials.

Trump to extend Asia trip, attend East Asia Summit: White House

The United States &ldquo;strongly supports&rdquo; India&rsquo;s inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), US President Barack Obama told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while they discussed strategic partnership, civil nuclear cooperation and climate change in a meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia summit in Laos.
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Had a great discussion with <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> on India-USA relations. <a href="https://t.co/4cqHwMwtMf">pic.twitter.com/4cqHwMwtMf</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/773802753068044288">September 8, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
 
The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India&#39;s bid for the 48-member elite group membership. 
 
&quot;President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi&#39;s initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity,&quot; sources told PTI. 
 
This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obama&#39;s second term as US president coming to an end in January next year. 
 
Obama said that the &ldquo;US would continue to be a strong partner of India&rdquo;. 
 
The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. 
 
White House officials said that &quot;President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi&#39;s leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change.&quot; 
 
The Indian Prime Minister too praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. 
 
He also invited the US president to visit India after demitting office. Obama replied saying he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal and would thus be glad to visit India again. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The US president and Indian prime minister discussed strategic partnership on the sidelines of the East Asia summit in Laos on Thursday

The United States “strongly supports” India’s inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), US President Barack Obama told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while they discussed strategic partnership, civil nuclear cooperation and climate change in a meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia summit in Laos. Had a great discussion with @POTUS on India-USA relations. pic.twitter.com/4cqHwMwtMf — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2016 The US has been playing a lead role in supporting India's bid for the 48-member elite group membership. "President Obama praised Prime Minister Modi's initiatives to reform the Indian economy. In particular, the US President expressed confidence that the passage of GST will unleash significant economic activity," sources told PTI. This could be the last meeting between Modi and Obama as leaders of the two countries with Obama's second term as US president coming to an end in January next year. Obama said that the “US would continue to be a strong partner of India”. The two leaders also reviewed progress on Indo-US collaboration in nuclear energy, solar energy and innovation, the sources said. White House officials said that "President Obama thanked Prime Minister Modi for his cooperation on a broad range of global and bilateral issues and commended Prime Minister Modi's leadership in addressing the urgent threats posed by climate change." The Indian Prime Minister too praised President Obama for his contribution to the relationship and the growing trust between the two countries. He also invited the US president to visit India after demitting office. Obama replied saying he and his wife Michelle were yet to see the Taj Mahal and would thus be glad to visit India again. (WION with inputs from agencies)

We 'strongly support' India's NSG bid: US President Obama

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he was ready to discuss any issues with US President Barack Obama when they meet in Laos next week. But, he added that Obama must listen to him first before bringing up the question of human rights. 
 
Since Duterte became president two months ago, there has been a surge in killings related to drugs. Washington has expressed concerns regarding Philippines&rsquo; war on drugs. 
 
Asked if he would be willing to discuss human rights at his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of an East Asia summit on September 6, Duterte told reporters: &quot;Depends to what degree&quot;. 
 
&quot;They must understand the problem first before we talk about human rights. I would insist, listen to me: this is what the problem is, then we can talk,&quot; Duterte said. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Since Duterte became president two months ago, there has been a surge in killings related to drugs in Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he was ready to discuss any issues with US President Barack Obama when they meet in Laos next week. But, he added that Obama must listen to him first before bringing up the question of human rights. Since Duterte became president two months ago, there has been a surge in killings related to drugs. Washington has expressed concerns regarding Philippines’ war on drugs. Asked if he would be willing to discuss human rights at his meeting with Obama on the sidelines of an East Asia summit on September 6, Duterte told reporters: "Depends to what degree". "They must understand the problem first before we talk about human rights. I would insist, listen to me: this is what the problem is, then we can talk," Duterte said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Obama must understand problem first before discussing human rights: Duterte

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