AMN
Prime minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a three-day visit to Manila tomorrow. This will be his first bilateral visit to the Phillipines where he will also participate in the ASEAN – India and East Asia summits.
In his pre-departure statement, the Prime Minister said that his participation in these summits symbolises India’s commitment to continue deepening relationships with ASEAN member states, in particular, and with the Indo- Pacific region in General, within the framework of his country’s Act East policy.
Mr Modi will also participate in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership – RCEP Leader’s meeting and ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.
The ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will boost India’s close cooperation to further enhance our trade ties with ASEAN member states, which constitutes a significant 10.85 percent of our India’s overall trade.
The Prime Minister will also connect with the Indian community in Phillipines. Mr Modi will also visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Phillipines Foundation.
IRRI , through Scientific Research and development, has developed a better quality of Rice seed and helped the global community in addressing food security issues. The Prime Minister said that a large number of Indian scientists are working in the institute and contributing to R& D in this field.
He added that the union cabinet has approved setting up of South Asian Regional centre of IRRI at Varanasi, to help increase farmer’s income by enhancing and supporting Rice productivity, reducing cost of production, value addition, diversification and enhancement of farmer’s skills.
Speaking of his visit to the MPFI, the Prime Minister said that this visit will demonstrate India’s support for its activities in the distribution of free prosthesis “Jaipur Foot ” among needy amputees.
The Prime minister expressed confidence that his visit to Manila will give a new boost to India’s bilateral relations with the Phillipines and further strengthen the Politico-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars of India’s engagement with ASEAN.