[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]He will meet US President Donald Trump and Pilipino President Rodrigo Duterte

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for a three day visit to Philippines to participate in various bilateral and multilateral meetings, including the India –ASEAN Summit. He is expected to meet US President Donald Trump on Monday.

Prime Minister is scheduled to attend 15th ASEAN- India summit and 12th East Asia summit on November 14.

According to a statement issued before his departure, Prime Minister has said that his visit to the Philippines to attend the India-ASEAN Summit symbolises the country’s commitment to deepening ties with the ASEAN member states and the Indo-Pacific region as part of the ‘Act East Policy’.

Besides ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits PM would also take part in special celebrations of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Meeting and ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

“My participation in them symbolises India’s commitment to continue deepening relationship with ASEAN Member States, in particular, and with the Indo-Pacific region, in general, within the framework of my Government’s Act East Policy,” the prime minister said.

While describing his scheduled meetings with other world leaders, PM said, “I look forward to have a bilateral meeting with President of the Philippines HE Mr. Rodrigo Duterte. I will also have interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders.”

PM further said, “I am confident that my visit to Manila will give a new boost to India’s bilateral relations with the Philippines and also further strengthen the politico-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars of our engagement with ASEAN.”

During the Philippines visit, there would be bilateral talks with the President of the Philippines HE Mr. Rodrigo Duterte. India seeks to further diversify cooperation with the Philippines. I will also have interactions with other ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2017

Prime Minister will meet the Indian community and certain institutions engaged in rice research and philanthropist activities. H said, “I also look forward to connecting with the Indian community in Philippines. During my stay in Manila, I shall also visit the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Mahavir Philippines Foundation Inc. (MPFI).

 

I look forward to interacting with the Indian Community in Philippines. There will also be visits to the International Rice Research Institute and Mahavir Philippines Foundation Inc.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet US President Donald Trump for a bilateral on Monday on the side-lines of the ASEAN summit in Manila. It was also mentioned in the statement issued by White House before President Trump left for 12-day five nation Asia tour.

The ten-member ASEAN and India comprise a total population of 1.85 billion, one-fourth of the global population. The combined GDP has been estimated at over 3.8 trillion dollars. According to available statistics, the trade between India and ASEAN stood at $ 65.04 billion in 2015-16 comprising 10.12 per cent of India’s total international trade.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At least 36 people were killed after a gunman burst into a casino and set fire to gambling tables in Manila on Friday.

Philippines media reports said most of the people died of suffocation and in the stampede as guests and staff tried to flee the complex. Some 70 people were injured in the stampede.

“I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled ‘ISIS’, we got out through the car parking exit. Before we excited, we heard two gunshots and there was thick smoke on the ground floor,” Maricel Navaro, an employee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio.

The perpetrator was later found dead in a hotel room.

“The gunman initially disappeared into the chaos of smoke and running people, leading to a manhunt through the complex that ended just after dawn when he was found dead in a hotel room,” police chief Ronald de la Rosa said.

“He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a thick blanket, apparently poured petrol on the blanket and burned himself,” he added.

At first, the attack was assumed to be a terror attack as Islamic group took responsibility and US President Donald Trump also branded it a “terrorist attack”.

Police insists it to be a case of robbery gone wrong as man did not shoot anyone and fled with casino chips worth $226,000.

“He would have shot all the people gambling there if it had been terrorism, but he did not hurt anyone,” Rosa said. The attacker’s identity and affiliation is yet to be ascertained.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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