Philippines President Duterte accepts Modi’s invite

November 14, 2017 12:57 am | Updated 01:00 am IST - MANILA

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference before his departure to Da Nang in Vietnam, for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, metro Manila, Philippines November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Dondi Tawatao

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference before his departure to Da Nang in Vietnam, for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, metro Manila, Philippines November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Dondi Tawatao

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to visit India for the 2018 ASEAN-India commemorative summit, along with other leaders of the ASEAN.

Speaking to the media, the Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Preeti Saran, said the invitation to Mr. Duterte was extended by Mr. Modi during the bilateral discussions.

The two sides sealed four agreements and agreed to cooperate on counter-terror. Both countries have been victims of terrorism for long.

“It is the first prime ministerial visit in thirty-six years from India to Philippines. Both sides sealed agreements on defence and logistical cooperation, small and medium scale enterprise, and for collaboration between the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Foreign Service Institute of Philippines,” said Ms. Saran.

“The Prime Minister took the opportunity to invite President Duterte for the (2018) commemorative summit that will be held next year which President Duterte gladly accepted, as have other ASEAN leaders,” she added.

The commemorative summit is likely to be a mega event that will mark India’s intensification of the ‘Act East policy’ aimed at the Indo-Pacific region.

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