Modi embarks on ASEAN summit, likely to hold talks with Trump
In their meeting, Modi and Trump are likely to discuss a host of key issues of mutual interest.
Manila: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are likely to have a bilateral meeting on Monday on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.
Modi will arrive in Manila on Sunday to attend the 15th ASEAN- India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14.
President Trump is also scheduled to arrive Sunday as part of his five-nation Asia tour of Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Read: APEC summit: India’s growth ‘astounding,’ says Trump, praises Modi
Official sources said the meeting between Modi and President Trump is likely to take place on Monday.
It will be the first meeting between the two leaders following a proposal to have a quadrilateral alliance among India,US, Japan and Australia.
Japan in October had indicated that it would propose a top-level dialogue with US, India and Australia. Sources said officials of the four countries may meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.
Reacting to the Japanese move, India had said that it was open to working with like-minded countries on issues that advance its interests. US had said it was looking at a "working-level" quadrilateral meeting in the near term with India, Japan and Australia.
Read: China 'uncomfortably' switches to Indo-Pacific from Asia-Pacific
Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono in October had said that Tokyo favours a dialogue between Japan,US, India and Australia to further boost strategic partnership among the four countries.
The move to set up the quadrilateral comes in the backdrop of growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. US has been favouring a larger role for India in the strategically key Indo-Pacific region.
The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by President Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the so called Quadrilateral strategic alliance between US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.
In their meeting, Modi and Trump are likely to discuss a host of key issues of mutual interest including the security scenario in the region.
Read: Trump sends strong message on trade with Asia: Vietnam
Trump on Saturday praised India's "astounding" growth after it opened up its economy and also lauded Modi, saying he has been working successfully to bring the vast country and its people together.
Speaking at a gathering of CEOs on the side-lines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Vietnamese city of Danang, President Trump cited India as one of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region making strides.
He praised India as a sovereign democracy with a population of over 1 billion as well as the largest democracy in the world.
Modi is expected to meet many other leaders attending the two summits.
He will also participate in the ASEAN business and investment summit as well as a meeting of leaders of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The RCEP, comprising of 10-member ASEAN bloc and six other countries - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, is engaged in negotiations for a free trade pact.
In his maiden visit to the Philippines as Prime Minister, Modi will also attend a reception by the Indian community and visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation.